A full clinical audit must include all these stages, though sometimes the term ‘clinical audit’ is erroneously used to describe a survey of current practice, with no criteria, standards or change implemented.Ĭlinical audit can be a means of diagnosing areas of practice that would benefit from improvement, but bear in mind it is better to use audit in conjunction with other tools in the ‘plan and test’ phase of a quality improvement project. Results are then analysed and change implemented finally a re-audit is conducted.
This RCGP Quick guide provides the standard headings for a clinical audit report and gives tips on how to define and fulfil each section.ĭownload RCGP Quick guide: Clinical auditĬlinical audit is a way to measure and improve the quality of clinical care by assessing performance against one or more criteria.
