PHYSIOTHERAPY PRACTICE ACCREDITATION
Physiotherapy Practice Accreditation
The Australian Physiotherapy Association has a formal partnership agreement with Quality in Practice Pty. Ltd. (QIP), a subsidiary of Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL), to provide practice accreditation services for Australian physiotherapy practices for and on behalf of the APA.
- Advantages of the new APA/QIP partnership
- Physiotherapy Practices Eligible for Accreditation
- APA Support for Practice Accreditation
- Special Deal on Guild Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Physiotherapy Accreditation Process with QIP
- Got a Query?
- Accreditation Standards - APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices (8th edition)
Advantages of the new APA/QIP partnership
AGPAL and QIP have an impressive track-record in delivering accreditation services for general practitioners and optometrists respectively. The APA Board of Directors is confident that a partnership with QIP will deliver an improved accreditation program for the physiotherapy industry.
The key advantages of this partnership from the APA perspective are:
- Physiotherapy practice accreditation will be managed and delivered by a market leader with a strong track-record, specialist expertise and well-developed systems and distribution channels.
- APA remains the custodian of the standards against which accreditation will be awarded.
- APA becomes ‘arms-length’ from the certification of accreditation which will improve the credibility of accreditation with third-parties and referrers.
- There will be significant opportunities to raise the profile of physiotherapy practice accreditation, as accreditation will be bestowed by the same organisation that awards accreditation to the vast majority of GP practices in Australia.
- The relationship should strengthen the integration of community physiotherapy within the primary health care sector and in particular benefit the professional links between physiotherapists and medical colleagues.
- The partnership includes shared governance. The APA has a nominee on the QIP committee responsible for the awarding of accreditation and also two senior representatives on the Board of QIP Physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy Practices Eligible for Accreditation
Defining a physiotherapy practice for the purpose of accreditationAs the author and owner of the APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices (8th edition), the APA reserves the right to mandate the definitions of a physiotherapy practice for the purpose of accreditation against the Standards.
A physiotherapy practice provides comprehensive and coordinated primary physiotherapy care which is clinically justifiable1 and which seeks to improve or maintain a person’s status in relation to impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions and/or quality of life.
In addition, a physiotherapy practice which is part of a multidisciplinary practice exerts independent clinical decision making and adequate control over practice services, practice management and the physical environment.
A physiotherapy practice seeking accreditation must provide services that accord with these definitions.
1 Australian Physiotherapy Association (2003): APA Position Statement: Clinical Justification and Outcome Measures, APA, Melbourne
Eligibility CriteriaOnly physiotherapy practices which comply with the Association’s interpretation of a physiotherapy practice and which satisfy the set criteria, will be eligible for accreditation against the APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices (8th edition):
- The physiotherapy practice must be operating as a private practice
- The physiotherapy practice must offer physiotherapy services provided by a registered physiotherapist and may offer a range of other health care services
- At least one practice principal must be a registered physiotherapist and a financial member of the APA
- The physiotherapy practice, whether a main practice or a branch practice, must be able to be assessed against each and every Standard and Criterion in the APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices (8th edition)
If a physiotherapy practice applies for accreditation against the APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices (8th edition) but is subsequently found not to meet the APA’s definitions of a physiotherapy practice or eligibility criteria for accreditation, the practice will be liable for any costs incurred by QIP in conducting a survey visit.
APA Support for Practice Accreditation
The APA is a strong supporter of practice accreditation because it sends important messages to the community, clients, peers, medical colleagues, third party purchasers and key decision makers in the Australian health care system that physiotherapists are seriously committed to excellence in primary health care.
The APA is taking an active stance on private health insurance reform and is arguing for the staged implementation of accreditation requirements so that neither physiotherapists nor physiotherapy consumers are disadvantaged.
The APA is also taking an active role in the important review of national safety and quality accreditation standards, which is currently being undertaken by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare.
In addition, the APA Board has approved some special initiatives to recognise the efforts of physiotherapy practices in achieving accredited status:
- APA Quality Innovation Awards - all participating practices will be eligible to nominate for either a $5000 Award (metropolitan practices) or a $5000 Award (rural and remote practices) to recognise an outstanding innovation made by the practice in the domain of safety and/or quality. Nominations will be evaluated by an APA committee which will include a member of the QIP Board and an accreditation surveyor.
- Continuing Professional Development Points - for participating practices, principals will earn 25 CPD points per year for a three year accreditation cycle and all other APA members working in the practice will earn 15 CPD points per year for a three year accreditation cycle.
- Quality in Practice (QIP) Branding in APA Directories - participating practices will be highlighted with the QIP accredited practice logo in all APA Referrers’ Directories.
- QIP Branding on APA website - participating practices will be highlighted with the QIP accredited practice logo on the Find-a-Physio section of the APA website.
- APA Policy Commitment - the APA will actively support the provision of ‘broader health cover’ products by health funds and the staged implementation of practice accreditation as a prerequisite for ‘broader health cover’ services.
Special Deal on Guild Professional Indemnity Insurance
The APA has negotiated a special deal for physiotherapists working exclusively* within accredited practices (or practices registered for accreditation) to pay 10% less on their professional indemnity insurance through Guild Insurance. This benefit recognises the introduction of the 8th edition APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices which Guild sees as a valuable base for risk management and quality physiotherapy.
In order to access this special deal, each physiotherapist working in the practice needs to complete a special form and return it directly to Guild. This information will be used for the purpose of reducing the cost of insurance premiums when a physiotherapist renews their cover with Guild or initiates cover with Guild.
* This offer only applies where a physiotherapist works exclusively in a practice or practices that are accredited (or registered with the APA’s partner, Quality in Practice to become accredited.
Frequently asked questions
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is the longest established and most widely known process for the external evaluation of health care services. The process is implemented so that delivery of safe, high quality health care is ensured. Accreditation is centered on a set of formal standards that hold a profession accountable. It allows you to confirm and promote your position among the best in your profession. It is a tool to measure, improve and benchmark your performance over time to improve outcomes. It also provides a basis for minimum standards of safety and care – essential in the health care industry.
What are the benefits of Practice Accreditation?
Accreditation demonstrates to your patients and the wider community that you are committed to providing safe, high quality health care. Accreditation also:
- provides your practice with a sound business framework
- establishes processes and procedures to support your practice staff
- ensures your clients are treated within set standards of safety
- differentiates your practice from competitors
- earn additional CPD points from the APA.
Who is QIP?
Quality in Practice Pty Ltd (QIP) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL). AGPAL has been providing accreditation services to general practices and optometrists since 1998 and is recognised as the market leader in primary health care accreditation. QIP is proud to extend its services to Australian physiotherapy practices.
Who sets the Accreditation Standards?
The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is the custodian of the standards against which practice accreditation will be awarded. The Standards will be maintained and revised on an on-going basis by the APA. The current APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices (8th Edition) were released in August 2007.
How long does accreditation last?
Accreditation for physiotherapy practices is a three year cycle.
What is involved in the accreditation process?
- Practice registers with QIP for accreditation against the APA standards.
- Practice works through the self assessment process using AccreditationPro assisted with ongoing support and resources from QIP.
- Practice completes the self assessment process and electronically submits their self assessment using AccreditationPro.
- The practice will be surveyed by a peer who has been trained as a surveyor.
- Surveyor submits the practice’s accreditation report to QIP.
- The Accreditation Review Committee (ARC) assesses the report.
- If all standards are met, practice is granted full accreditation for a three year term.
- If a criterion or standard is not met then the practice may be granted conditional accreditation and given time to improve any area(s) that the ARC determined to need some improvement.
- Upon full accreditation, the practice continues quality improvement and compliance with standards with continuing access to education and support from QIP and the APA.
What will happen to my practice's previous accreditation status?
If your practice was previously accredited under the former APA Quality Endorsed Practice (QEP) accreditation system, your accreditation will expire at 30/06/2008 (unless otherwise advised by QIP). To register your practice for accreditation renewal against the new APA 8th edition standards, visit www.qip.com.au, or call QIP on 1300 888 329.
How long will preparing for the accreditation visit take?
QIP recommends practices plan for the accreditation process and allow at least eight months to complete their self assessment. This is followed by a further two to three months to liaise with QIP to organise and conduct the accreditation visit, development of the accreditation report by QIP and granting of an accreditation status.
What happens if my practice doesn't meet the standards?
Accreditation is not about passing or failing. It’s an educative process. It’s about supporting practices and helping them to make changes to ensure they achieve better quality outcomes. QIP aims to engage physiotherapy practices in an ongoing process of quality improvement. If a practice is assessed to not meet a standard, then QIP will make recommendations and work with the practice to support them make any necessary changes. Every practice is different and any practice requiring more support while undergoing accreditation will be given all the help they need.
Who surveys my practice?
Accreditation with QIP is a process based on peer review. Physiotherapy surveyors are experienced, qualified and independent professional colleagues. To become a QIP surveyor for physiotherapy you need to meet selection criteria and also be actively working as a physiotherapist.
How long will an accreditation survey visit take?
In most cases an accreditation visit will take around four hours. We recommend you nominate your accreditation visit to occur at a time outside your practice’s busiest operating hours however, your practice must be operational for the accreditation visit to occur as the surveyor needs to observe your practice interacting with patients.
How much will accreditation cost my practice?
The fee for accreditation is based on the number of equivalent full time (EFT) physiotherapists working in the practice. For new practices registering with QIP, the fee will be $695 per EFT (inc. GST). An initial fee of $550 (inc. GST) is paid at the time of registering for accreditation. This fee will be deducted from the accreditation fee if self assessment is completed within 12 months of the initial registration date. One EFT equals 36 hours per week and applies to clinical staff only.
Download Fact Sheet here
What is AccreditationPro?
AccreditationPro is the first computer based self assessment system in Australia designed exclusively to support and guide primary health care practices through accreditation. The system automates the previously manual process of self assessment, saving time and reducing paperwork. AccreditationPro features an action plan and summary function which acts as a framework to help practices identify areas for improvement, make changes and monitor progress. QIP provides experienced and friendly backup, comprehensive technical support and a step-by-step tutorial to assist first time AccreditationPro users.
What platform do I need to support AccreditationPro?
To use the online version you need a modern browser that has javascript enabled.
Recommended Browsers:
Recommended Browsers:
Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.6 or higher, Opera 9.0.1 or higher.
Who can I speak to if I have any questions?
If you have any questions regarding your QIP physiotherapy accreditation please contact the QIP Team on 1300 888 329, or send an email to info@qip.com.au. Further information can also be found on the QIP website at www.qip.com.au.
The Physiotherapy Accreditation Process with QIP
Download QIP Physiotherapy Accreditation Process flowchart here
Got a Query?
If you have any queries about physiotherapy practice accreditation, please contact QIP on 1300 362 111.
Further information can be found on the QIP website at www.qip.com.au
Accreditation Standards - APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices (8th edition)
Click here to download the standards
The APA is the custodian of the Standards against which physiotherapy practices will be accredited. The role of QIP will be to manage the accreditation program and award accreditation against Standards set by the APA and reviewed by the APA from time to time.
The 8th edition of the APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practice was officially launched on 2 August 2007.
The Australian Physiotherapy Association Standards for Physiotherapy Practices are Standards developed by physiotherapists in partnership with community stakeholders.. The Standards are owned by the Australian Physiotherapy Association and are designed to help physiotherapy practices in the private sector deliver safe, high quality health care and embrace continuous quality improvement as good business practice.
There are five categories of Standards which cover:
- rights and needs of clients
- practice services
- practice management
- physical environment
- quality physiotherapy
Each category contains guidance material to help practices interpret the Standards, as well as resource material to assist practices in complying with each set of mandatory assessment indicators.
Why are the APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices important?The APA Standards provide a basis for excellence in clinical care and practice operations - excellence which justifies community trust in the expertise and integrity of physiotherapists.
The Standards reflect hallmark qualities of the physiotherapy profession in Australia - respect for the individual, professional accountability, evidence based practice, sound risk management and ongoing learning.
For the first time, APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices include a set of Standards that relate specifically to the quality of clinical care. This puts the physiotherapy profession in Australia at the frontline of safety and quality in primary health care.
How can a practice use the Standards?The APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices (8th edition) are available in the public domain as an important indicator of benchmark expectations for consumers and physiotherapists alike on safe, high quality health care and sound practice operations.
Physiotherapy practices in the private sector can use the APA Standards to self-assess the safety and quality of primary health care they provide to the Australian community, and to self-assess the efficiency and effectiveness of their practice operations.
Practices can also go a step further, and seek formal accreditation against the APA owned Standards for Physiotherapy Practices.
Why Accredit?Accreditation against the APA Standards for Physiotherapy Practices is the ultimate formal acknowledgement of a practice’s commitment to safe, high quality health care.
Accreditation sends important messages to the community, clients, peers, medical colleagues, third party purchasers and key decision makers in the Australian health care system that physiotherapists are seriously committed to excellence in primary health care.
