OpenDentist Ltd is committed to providing high-quality dental care through effective and regular evaluation of our practices and services. To maintain and enhance the quality of care for our patients, we conduct comprehensive audits across various aspects of our services. This Audit Policy outlines our approach to auditing, the types of audits we perform, and the procedures in place to monitor the quality and effectiveness of our services.
1. Purpose of Auditing
The primary purpose of auditing at OpenDentist Ltd is to ensure that we consistently deliver high-quality care, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Audits help us:
• Ensure compliance with patient safety standards and clinical best practices
• Evaluate the effectiveness of our services
• Identify areas for improvement and take corrective actions where necessary
• Monitor adherence to our internal policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Assess the impact of our services on patient outcomes and satisfaction
2. Scope of Audits
At OpenDentist Ltd, we undertake both clinical and non-clinical audits to assess the overall effectiveness of our practice. These audits cover various areas of our operations and patient care, including:
Inputs Audited:
• Antibiotic Audit: Regular reviews of antibiotic prescribing practices to ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics in dental treatments
• Complaints Audit: A review of any patient complaints to ensure they are addressed appropriately and effectively, and to identify trends or areas requiring attention
• Safeguarding Audit: Ensures compliance with safeguarding regulations and reviews procedures for identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns
Outcomes Monitored:
• Patient Satisfaction: Monitoring feedback from patients regarding the quality of consultations both through the website and in-person appointments
• Effectiveness of our Services: Reviewing patient feedback on the effectiveness of our digital platforms (such as the website, in-app videos) in improving oral health knowledge and behavior
• Efficiency: Assessment of our operations, including the retention rate of patients and the effectiveness of our data collection practices
3. Audit Procedure
Audits are conducted in a structured and transparent manner, following clear procedures:
• Audit Planning: The practice manager or designated team member will develop an audit schedule, specifying the audits to be conducted, their scope, and the timeline for completion
• Data Collection: Relevant data and records will be gathered and reviewed during the audit process
• Audit Execution: The audit team will perform the audit based on established criteria and documented procedures
• Evaluation and Reporting: The results of each audit are evaluated and documented in a report
• Follow-Up and Corrective Actions: If an audit identifies areas requiring improvement, corrective actions will be implemented
• Review of Audit Results: Audit results are reviewed by the practice's management team during regular meetings
4. Roles and Responsibilities
The following roles are responsible for ensuring effective audit procedures:
• Audit Team: The audit team is responsible for conducting the audits, ensuring the integrity of the data collected, and reporting on audit outcomes
• Practice Manager: The practice manager oversees the audit process and ensures that the audit schedule is adhered to
• Staff: All employees of OpenDentist Ltd are expected to cooperate with audits and support the collection of necessary data
5. Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement
To ensure continuous improvement and alignment with best practices, OpenDentist Ltd evaluates audit findings on a regular basis. We:
• Implement Changes: Based on audit findings, we take necessary actions to improve processes, staff training, and service delivery
• Monitor Effectiveness: We continuously monitor the effectiveness of any changes made through follow-up audits and patient feedback
• Ensure Compliance: We maintain compliance with relevant regulatory bodies, such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the General Dental Council (GDC)
6. Patient Feedback and Engagement
At OpenDentist Ltd, patient feedback is integral to our auditing process. We regularly survey patients to assess their satisfaction with our services, including both in-person and digital experiences. This feedback is used to:
• Identify strengths in our service
• Highlight areas for improvement
• Monitor the effectiveness of our patient care procedures, particularly those related to our online platforms
7. Confidentiality and Data Protection
In all audit processes, patient confidentiality and data protection are paramount. All patient data used in audits will be handled in accordance with our Data Protection and Privacy Policy, ensuring compliance with GDPR and other relevant privacy regulations.
8. Review of This Policy
This Audit Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that it remains effective and reflects any changes in regulatory requirements or operational procedures. Updates to the policy will be communicated to all relevant team members.