Quality Assurance (QA) is an activity where the primary purpose is to monitor or improve the quality of service delivered by an individual or organisation and includes terms such as ‘quality assurance’, ‘quality improvement’, ‘quality activities’, ‘clinical audit’ and ‘audit’.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has published Ethical Considerations in Quality Assurance and Evaluation Activities (NHMRC; 2014) to facilitate oversight of Quality Assurance activities for individuals and organisations conducting quality assurance activities who are responsible for ensuring that:
- participants are afforded appropriate protections and respect
- QA activities comply with all relevant legislation and regulations
- organisations provide guidance and oversight to ensure activities are conducted ethically including a pathway to address concerns
At the Eye and Ear, staff are encouraged to undertake QA activities. Staff are required to seek approval from the Head of Unit / Clinic / Department prior to undertaking any QA activity.
The Research Office provides an oversight process to facilitate QA activities (and clinical audit). The Clinical Improvement and Risk and Quality teams initiate and support quality improvement activities to improve models of care, patient safety programs and compliance with accreditation standards.
How to apply to the Eye and Ear Research Office for a QA activity review
Applications are submitted via email to the Research Office.
What documents need to be submitted?
Below is a list of the documents required for submission. Minimum standards apply to all applications:
- Applications must be complete; incomplete applications will be returned to the researcher
- Handwritten applications will not be accepted
- Head of Unit/Clinic/Department is required prior to undertaking any QA activity
| Core Documents | Project Dependent Additional Documents |
| Quality Assurance Application Form | Quality Assurance Supplementary Form – Privacy |
| Quality Assurance Supplementary Form – Databanks | |
| Participant Information Sheet & Consent Form | |
| Survey/Questionnaire | |
| Supporting Department Form | |
| Agreements |
The Forms Library can be found here.
Submission Dates
Quality Assurance applications can be submitted to the Research Office at any time. Submit your application via email to the Research Office.
How is my application reviewed?
Applications will be reviewed by the Research Manager and the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) Chair. An initial response will be given within 10 working days from the date of submission. Approval can be granted for up to two years. A letter of endorsement from the Eye and Ear Research Office will be provided.
Amendments and Reporting
Any changes to the project which may impinge on the ethical principles that guide human research must be submitted to the Research Office for approval prior to implementation.
A final report and any abstracts accepted for publication or external presentation must be submitted to the Research Office on completion of the project.
