SAAS is NSQHS accredited for the second time

SAAS has yet again achieved accreditation for the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. SAAS is the only ambulance service in Australia to receive this recognition.

Accreditation demonstrates SAAS’s commitment to implementing safe patient care standards and clinical practices to ensure our patients receive quality healthcare.

Six accreditors from ACHS visited 35 SAAS sites across the state to speak to staff and volunteers and later awarded SAAS accreditation for meeting 148 core actions set out in the NSQHS Standards.

Their final report outlined many areas that SAAS has excelled in, such as:

• SAAS’s commitment to engaging with consumers in service planning and delivery of care.
• SAAS staff were commended for knowledge of their roles and for the pride and passion demonstrated in the care they provide to their communities.
• It was specifically noted that SAAS staff have a high level of awareness and capacity for managing patients with challenging behaviour, while ensuring a respectful and compassionate approach to care.
• The assessment team also noted the broad range of care options administered by SAAS from Telehealth to quality medical retrieval systems, and the many health care options afforded during a routine ambulance response.

It also highlighted some areas where improvements can continue to be made, including further investigation into the temperature management of medications stored within ambulances. SAAS was also encouraged to improve on systems for promoting and recording mandated training.

In 2018, SAAS was the first ambulance service in Australia to be accredited, which was awarded for three years. SAAS remains the only state ambulance service in the country to be accredited, and now for a second time.

This accreditation highlights our commitment to keeping the patient always at the centre of our focus.