As a medical practice, achieving DIAS accreditation is an important step towards demonstrating your commitment to providing safe and quality care to your patients as well as accessing Medicare rebates. However, preparing for a DIAS assessment can be a daunting task, requiring careful planning and attention to detail. Here, we’ll provide some top tips for preparing your medical practice for a successful DIAS accreditation assessment.
1. Start early
The first and most important tip is to start preparing for your DIAS assessment as early as possible. Give yourself plenty of time to review your policies and procedures, identify areas that need improvement, and make any necessary changes. Waiting until the last minute can lead to a rushed and disorganised preparation process, which can increase the likelihood of mistakes and oversights.
2. Review the DIAS standards
Before you begin preparing for your DIAS assessment, make sure you understand the DIAS standards and what is required to meet them. The DIAS standards cover a wide range of areas, including governance, clinical care, infection prevention and control, medication management, and more. Understanding the standards will help you identify areas where your practice may need improvement and develop a plan for meeting the standards.
3. Conduct a self-assessment
A self-assessment can help you identify areas where your practice may need improvement before the DIAS assessment. This can include reviewing your policies and procedures, conducting staff training, and ensuring that your facilities and equipment are in good working order. Use the DIAS standards as a guide to identify areas where your practice may need improvement.
4. Assign responsibility
Assigning responsibility for each aspect of the DIAS preparation process can help ensure that everything is completed in a timely and organised manner. Consider forming a DIAS preparation team, with members responsible for specific areas like policy review, staff training, and facility maintenance. This can help ensure that everyone knows their role and is working towards the same goal.
5. Supplystaff training
DIAS accreditation requires that all staff members have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide safe and quality care to patients. Conducting staff training on relevant policies and procedures can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands their responsibilities. Consider incorporating DIAS training into your regular staff training and development activities.
6. Focus on patient safety
DIAS accreditation is ultimately about ensuring patient safety and quality of care. Keep this in mind throughout the preparation process and focus on identifying areas where you can improve patient safety. This may include developing protocols for handling medication errors, implementing infection prevention and control measures, or improving your communication with patients.
7. Stay organised
Finally, staying organised throughout the DIAS preparation process can help ensure that everything is completed on time and to the required standard. Consider using a project management tool to help you track progress and manage tasks, and make sure that everyone on your team knows their responsibilities and deadlines.
8. Keep detailed records
Records are everything in this industry, and being able to show your preparation process can help demonstrate to DIAS assessors that you are committed to providing safe and quality care. Keep records of staff training, policy revisions, and any other changes or improvements you make in preparation for the assessment. This can also help you track your progress and identify areas where further improvement may be needed.
9. Seek expert help
There’s no doubt that the DIAS process is a complex one! If you’re unsure about how to prepare for your DIAS assessment or simply don’t have the time or resources to manage it in-house, consider seeking expert help from DIAS consultants. They can provide guidance and support throughout the preparation process, helping you identify areas where you may need improvement and develop a plan for meeting the standards.
Professionally-managed DIAS consulting services – Your prescription for simple certification
Although everyone agrees that standards that uphold patient care and create a safer and more effective medical environment are essential, the fact is that this significant administrative burden can make it difficult to gain or maintain DIAS accreditation.
That’s where our consultants will help!
We work with all diagnostic imaging practices, large and small, in every sector of healthcare – including veterinary practices. Fast, efficient, and cost-effective, our team will take care of all your accreditation needs, including policy creation. We’re your one stop shop for DIAS certification and professional peace of mind – book an onsite DIAS readiness review or contact us today.
