Sample records for accepted auditing standards

  1. 25 CFR 571.12 - Audit standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... shall conform to generally accepted accounting principles and the annual audit shall conform to... INVESTIGATIONS Audits § 571.12 Audit standards. (a) Each tribe shall prepare comparative financial statements covering all financial activities of each class II and class III gaming operation on the tribe's Indian...

  2. AICPA standard can help improve audit committee performance.

    PubMed

    Reinstein, A; Luecke, R W

    2001-08-01

    The AICPA's Auditing Standards Board issued Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 90, Improving the Effectiveness of Corporate Audit Committees, in response to a related Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule change. Under the standard, audit committees of publicly traded organizations must enter into discussions with their organization's auditors regarding the quality and the acceptability of the accounting principles that have been applied in the organization's financial statements. Although SAS No. 90 is intended for publicly traded entities, the standard has significant implications for all healthcare organizations in defining what constitutes an effective audit committee. To comply with the standard, audit committees should have independent directors who are rotated on and off the committee, training for committee members on the effective performance of their duties, a charter specifying committee responsibilities and membership requirements, meetings at least four times annually, and responsibility for retaining services of CPA firms to conduct the organization's annual audits.

  3. 30 CFR 1229.123 - Standards for audit activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... professional proficiency for the tasks required, including a knowledge of accounting, auditing, agency... shall maintain an independent attitude and appearance. (iii) Due professional care. Due professional... accordance with the generally accepted program audit standards (including the applicable General Accounting...

  4. 34 CFR 668.23 - Compliance audits and audited financial statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... this section, a government auditor must meet the Government Auditing Standards qualification and... Accounting Office's (GAO's) Government Auditing Standards. (This publication is available from the... generally accepted accounting principles, and audited by an independent auditor in accordance with generally...

  5. 28 CFR 115.193 - Audits of standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Audits of standards. 115.193 Section 115.193 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Standards for Lockups Audits § 115.193 Audits of standards. The agency shall conduct audits...

  6. 28 CFR 115.193 - Audits of standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Audits of standards. 115.193 Section 115.193 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Standards for Lockups Audits § 115.193 Audits of standards. The agency shall conduct audits...

  7. 28 CFR 115.193 - Audits of standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Audits of standards. 115.193 Section 115.193 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Standards for Lockups Audits § 115.193 Audits of standards. The agency shall conduct audits...

  8. 28 CFR 115.293 - Audits of standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Audits of standards. 115.293 Section 115.293 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Standards for Community Confinement Facilities Audits § 115.293 Audits of standards. The agency...

  9. 28 CFR 115.293 - Audits of standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Audits of standards. 115.293 Section 115.293 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Standards for Community Confinement Facilities Audits § 115.293 Audits of standards. The agency...

  10. 28 CFR 115.293 - Audits of standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Audits of standards. 115.293 Section 115.293 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Standards for Community Confinement Facilities Audits § 115.293 Audits of standards. The agency...

  11. 28 CFR 115.393 - Audits of standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Audits of standards. 115.393 Section 115.393 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Standards for Juvenile Facilities Audits § 115.393 Audits of standards. The agency shall conduct...

  12. 28 CFR 115.393 - Audits of standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Audits of standards. 115.393 Section 115.393 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Standards for Juvenile Facilities Audits § 115.393 Audits of standards. The agency shall conduct...

  13. 28 CFR 115.393 - Audits of standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Audits of standards. 115.393 Section 115.393 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Standards for Juvenile Facilities Audits § 115.393 Audits of standards. The agency shall conduct...

  14. NCQA implements new outcomes audit standards.

    PubMed

    1997-06-01

    Faulty data gathering and auditing techniques have put in question the comparability of HEDIS outcomes standards. The National Center for Quality Assurance has moved to shore up its data's credibility with new auditing standards. A new class of certified auditors must be trained. Until then, the Health Care Financing Administration will have Medicare managed care organizations audited by independent firms.

  15. Auditing Orthopaedic Audit

    PubMed Central

    Guryel, E; Acton, K; Patel, S

    2008-01-01

    INTRODUCTION Clinical audit plays an important role in the drive to improve the quality of patient care and thus forms a cornerstone of clinical governance. Assurance that the quality of patient care has improved requires completion of the audit cycle. A considerable sum of money and time has been spent establishing audit activity in the UK. Failure to close the loop undermines the effectiveness of the audit process and wastes resources. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analysed the effectiveness of audit in trauma and orthopaedics at a local hospital by comparing audit projects completed over a 6-year period to criteria set out in the NHS National Audit and Governance report. RESULTS Of the 25 audits performed since 1999, half were presented to the relevant parties and only 20% completed the audit cycle. Only two of these were audits against national standards and 28% were not based on any standards at all. Only a third of the audits led by junior doctors resulted in implementation of their action plan compared to 75% implementation for consultant-led and 67% for nurse-led audits. CONCLUSIONS A remarkably large proportion of audits included in this analysis failed to meet accepted criteria for effective audit. Audits completed by junior doctors were found to be the least likely to complete the cycle. This may relate to the lack of continuity in modern medical training and little incentive to complete the cycle. Supervision by permanent medical staff, principally consultants, and involvement of the audit department may play the biggest role in improving implementation of change. PMID:18828963

  16. Auditing orthopaedic audit.

    PubMed

    Guryel, E; Acton, K; Patel, S

    2008-11-01

    Clinical audit plays an important role in the drive to improve the quality of patient care and thus forms a cornerstone of clinical governance. Assurance that the quality of patient care has improved requires completion of the audit cycle. A considerable sum of money and time has been spent establishing audit activity in the UK. Failure to close the loop undermines the effectiveness of the audit process and wastes resources. We analysed the effectiveness of audit in trauma and orthopaedics at a local hospital by comparing audit projects completed over a 6-year period to criteria set out in the NHS National Audit and Governance report. Of the 25 audits performed since 1999, half were presented to the relevant parties and only 20% completed the audit cycle. Only two of these were audits against national standards and 28% were not based on any standards at all. Only a third of the audits led by junior doctors resulted in implementation of their action plan compared to 75% implementation for consultant-led and 67% for nurse-led audits. A remarkably large proportion of audits included in this analysis failed to meet accepted criteria for effective audit. Audits completed by junior doctors were found to be the least likely to complete the cycle. This may relate to the lack of continuity in modern medical training and little incentive to complete the cycle. Supervision by permanent medical staff, principally consultants, and involvement of the audit department may play the biggest role in improving implementation of change.

  17. 78 FR 75920 - Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-13

    ... GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards AGENCY: U.S... public that the Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards will hold a public meeting by... recommendations to the Comptroller General for revisions to the Government Auditing Standards, to provide for...

  18. Critical features of an auditable management system for an ISO 9000-compatible occupational health and safety standard.

    PubMed

    Levine, S; Dyjack, D T

    1997-04-01

    An International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001: 1994-harmonized occupational health and safety (OHS) management system has been written at the University of Michigan, and reviewed, revised, and accepted under the direction of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) Task Force and the Board of Directors. This system is easily adaptable to the ISO 14001 format and to both OHS and environmental management system applications. As was the case with ISO 9001: 1994, this system is expected to be compatible with current production quality and OHS quality systems and standards, have forward compatibility for new applications, and forward flexibility, with new features added as needed. Since ISO 9001: 1987 and 9001: 1994 have been applied worldwide, the incorporation of harmonized OHS and environmental management system components should be acceptable to business units already performing first-party (self-) auditing, and second-party (contract qualification) auditing. This article explains the basis of this OHS management system, its relationship to ISO 9001 and 14001 standards, the philosophy and methodology of an ISO-harmonized system audit, the relationship of these systems to traditional OHS audit systems, and the authors' vision of the future for application of such systems.

  19. 43 CFR 12.66 - Non-Federal audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... COST PRINCIPLES FOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative... generally accepted government auditing standards covering financial audits. (b) Subgrantees. State or local...

  20. Audit of nuclear medicine scientific and technical standards.

    PubMed

    Jarritt, Peter H; Perkins, Alan C; Woods, Sandra D

    2004-08-01

    The British Nuclear Medicine Society has developed a process for the service-specific organizational audit of nuclear medicine departments. This process identified the need for a scheme suitable for the audit of the scientific and technical standards of a department providing such a service. This document has evolved following audit visits of a number of UK departments. It is intended to be used as a written document to facilitate the audit procedure and may be used for both external and self-audit purposes. Scientific and technical standards have been derived from a number of sources, including regulatory documents, notes for guidance and peer-reviewed publications. The audit scheme is presented as a series of questions with responses graded according to legal and safety obligations (A), good practice (B) and desirable aspects of service delivery (C). This document should be regarded as part of an audit framework and should be kept under review as the process evolves to meet the future demands of this high-technology-based clinical service.

  1. 75 FR 14161 - Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards; Notice of Meeting

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-24

    ... GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards; Notice of Meeting The Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards will meet Thursday, April 22, 2010, from 8... Building, 441 G Street, NW., Washington, DC. The Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards will...

  2. 76 FR 19774 - Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards; Notice of Meeting

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-08

    ... GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards; Notice of Meeting The Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards will meet Wednesday, May 11, 2011, from 8:15... building, 441 G Street, NW., Washington, DC. The Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards will...

  3. 7 CFR 277.17 - Audit requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    .... (2) Audits shall be made in accordance with the General Accounting Office “Standards for Audit of.... These examinations are to determine whether: (1) There is effective control over and proper accounting... in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (3) The Federal financial reports...

  4. 7 CFR 277.17 - Audit requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    .... (2) Audits shall be made in accordance with the General Accounting Office “Standards for Audit of.... These examinations are to determine whether: (1) There is effective control over and proper accounting... in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (3) The Federal financial reports...

  5. 7 CFR 277.17 - Audit requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    .... (2) Audits shall be made in accordance with the General Accounting Office “Standards for Audit of.... These examinations are to determine whether: (1) There is effective control over and proper accounting... in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (3) The Federal financial reports...

  6. 7 CFR 277.17 - Audit requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    .... (2) Audits shall be made in accordance with the General Accounting Office “Standards for Audit of.... These examinations are to determine whether: (1) There is effective control over and proper accounting... in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (3) The Federal financial reports...

  7. Can preventive care activities in general practice be sustained when financial incentives and external audit plus feedback are removed? ACCEPt-able: a cluster randomised controlled trial protocol.

    PubMed

    Hocking, Jane S; Temple-Smith, Meredith; van Driel, Mieke; Law, Matthew; Guy, Rebecca; Bulfone, Liliana; Wood, Anna; Low, Nicola; Donovan, Basil; Fairley, Christopher K; Kaldor, John; Gunn, Jane

    2016-09-13

    Financial incentives and audit plus feedback on performance are two strategies commonly used by governments to motivate general practitioners (GP) to undertake specific healthcare activities. However, in recent years, governments have reduced or removed incentive payments without evidence of the potential impact on GP behaviour and patient outcomes. This trial (known as ACCEPt-able) aims to determine whether preventive care activities in general practice are sustained when financial incentives and/or external audit plus feedback on preventive care activities are removed. The activity investigated is annual chlamydia testing for 16- to 29-year-old adults, a key preventive health strategy within this age group. ACCEPt-able builds on a large cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) that evaluated a 3-year chlamydia testing intervention in general practice. GPs were provided with a support package to facilitate annual chlamydia testing of all sexually active 16- to 29-year-old patients. This package included financial incentive payments to the GP for each chlamydia test conducted and external audit plus feedback on each GP's chlamydia testing rates. ACCEPt-able is a factorial cluster RCT in which general practices are randomised to one of four groups: (i) removal of audit plus feedback-continue to receive financial incentive payments for each chlamydia test; (ii) removal of financial incentive payments-continue to receive audit plus feedback; (iii) removal of financial incentive payments and audit plus feedback; and (iv) continue financial incentive payments and audit plus feedback. The primary outcome is chlamydia testing rate measured as the proportion of sexually active 16- to 29-year-olds who have a GP consultation within a 12-month period and at least one chlamydia test. This will be the first RCT to examine the impact of removal of financial incentive payments and audit plus feedback on the chlamydia testing behaviour of GPs. This trial is particularly timely

  8. A Novel Process Audit for Standardized Perioperative Handoff Protocols.

    PubMed

    Pallekonda, Vinay; Scholl, Adam T; McKelvey, George M; Amhaz, Hassan; Essa, Deanna; Narreddy, Spurthy; Tan, Jens; Templonuevo, Mark; Ramirez, Sasha; Petrovic, Michelle A

    2017-11-01

    A perioperative handoff protocol provides a standardized delivery of communication during a handoff that occurs from the operating room to the postanestheisa care unit or ICU. The protocol's success is dependent, in part, on its continued proper use over time. A novel process audit was developed to help ensure that a perioperative handoff protocol is used accurately and appropriately over time. The Audit Observation Form is used for the Audit Phase of the process audit, while the Audit Averages Form is used for the Data Analysis Phase. Employing minimal resources and using quantitative methods, the process audit provides the necessary means to evaluate the proper execution of any perioperative handoff protocol. Copyright © 2017 The Joint Commission. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. 78 FR 20318 - Public Meeting of the Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-04-04

    ... GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE Public Meeting of the Advisory Council on Government Auditing...: This notice informs the public that the Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards will hold a... recommendations to the Comptroller General for revisions to the Government Auditing Standards, to provide for...

  10. 10 CFR 440.21 - Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures. 440.21 Section 440.21 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ENERGY CONSERVATION WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS § 440.21 Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures. (a...

  11. 10 CFR 440.21 - Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures. 440.21 Section 440.21 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ENERGY CONSERVATION WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS § 440.21 Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures. (a...

  12. 10 CFR 440.21 - Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures. 440.21 Section 440.21 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ENERGY CONSERVATION WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS § 440.21 Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures. (a...

  13. 10 CFR 440.21 - Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures. 440.21 Section 440.21 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ENERGY CONSERVATION WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS § 440.21 Weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures. (a...

  14. Standard setting: the crucial issues. A case study of accounting & auditing.

    PubMed

    Nowakowski, J R

    1982-01-01

    A study of standard-setting efforts in accounting and auditing is reported. The study reveals four major areas of concern in a professional standard-setting effort: (1) issues related to the rationale for setting standards, (2) issues related to the standard-setting board and its support structure, (3) issues related to the content of standards and rules for generating them, and (4) issues that deal with how standards are put to use. Principles derived from the study of accounting and auditing are provided to illuminate and assess standard-setting efforts in evaluation.

  15. DOD Financial Management: Significant Efforts Still Needed for Remediating Audit Readiness Deficiencies

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-02-01

    19As defined in generally accepted government auditing standards, information technology controls...Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR) Plan Status Report, while DOD continues to make progress in addressing information technology ...DOD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Significant Efforts Still Needed for Remediating Audit Readiness Deficiencies Report to

  16. Dosimetric audit in brachytherapy

    PubMed Central

    Bradley, D A; Nisbet, A

    2014-01-01

    Dosimetric audit is required for the improvement of patient safety in radiotherapy and to aid optimization of treatment. The reassurance that treatment is being delivered in line with accepted standards, that delivered doses are as prescribed and that quality improvement is enabled is as essential for brachytherapy as it is for the more commonly audited external beam radiotherapy. Dose measurement in brachytherapy is challenging owing to steep dose gradients and small scales, especially in the context of an audit. Several different approaches have been taken for audit measurement to date: thimble and well-type ionization chambers, thermoluminescent detectors, optically stimulated luminescence detectors, radiochromic film and alanine. In this work, we review all of the dosimetric brachytherapy audits that have been conducted in recent years, look at current audits in progress and propose required directions for brachytherapy dosimetric audit in the future. The concern over accurate source strength measurement may be essentially resolved with modern equipment and calibration methods, but brachytherapy is a rapidly developing field and dosimetric audit must keep pace. PMID:24807068

  17. [Standard of integration management at company level and its auditing].

    PubMed

    Flach, T; Hetzel, C; Mozdzanowski, M; Schian, H-M

    2006-10-01

    Responsibility at company level for the employment of workers with health-related problems or disabilities has increased, inter alia because of integration management at company level according to section 84 (2) of the German Social Code Book IX. Although several recommendations exist, no standard is available for auditing and certification. Such a standard could be a basis for granting premiums according to section 84 (3) of Book IX of the German Social Code. AUDIT AND CERTIFICATION: One product of the international "disability management" movement is the "Consensus Based Disability Management Audit" (CBDMA). The Audit is a systematic and independent measurement of the effectiveness of integration management at company level. CBDMA goals are to give evidence of the quality of the integration management implemented, to identify opportunities for improvement and recommend appropriate corrective and preventive action. In May 2006, the integration management of Ford-Werke GmbH Germany with about 23 900 employees was audited and certified as the first company in Europe. STANDARD OF INTEGRATION MANAGEMENT AT COMPANY LEVEL: In dialogue with corporate practitioners, the international standard of CBDMA has been adapted, completed and verified concerning its practicability. Process orientation is the key approach, and the structure is similar to DIN EN ISO 9001:2000. Its structure is as follows: (1) management-labour responsibility (goals and objectives, program planning, management-labour review), (2) management of resources (disability manager and DM team, employees' participation, cooperation with external partners, infrastructure), (3) communication (internal and external public relations), (4) case management (identifying cases, contact, situation analysis, planning actions, implementing actions and monitoring, process and outcome evaluation), (5) analysis and improvement (analysis and program evaluation), (6) documentation (manual, records).

  18. 12 CFR 335.121 - Listing standards related to audit committees.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Listing standards related to audit committees... audit committees. The provisions of the applicable SEC regulation under section 10(A)(m) of the Exchange Act shall be followed as codified at 17 CFR part 240. [75 FR 73949, Nov. 30, 2010] ...

  19. 7 CFR 4280.56 - Submission of reports and audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... SERVICE AND RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS AND GRANTS Rural Economic Development... Economic Development Loan and Grant Program” to Rural Development on an annual basis until it no longer... accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles...

  20. Current standards for infection control: audit assures compliance.

    PubMed

    Flanagan, Pauline

    Having robust policies and procedures in place for infection control is fundamentally important. However, each organization has to go a step beyond this; evidence has to be provided that these policies and procedures are followed. As of 1 April 2009, with the introduction of the Care Quality Commission and The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice for the NHS on the Prevention and Control of Healthcare-Associated Infections and Related Guidance, the assurance of robust infection control measures within any UK provider of health care became an even higher priority. Also, the commissioning of any service by the NHS must provide evidence that the provider has in place robust procedures for infection control. This article demonstrates how the clinical audit team at the Douglas Macmillan Hospice in North Staffordshire, UK, have used audit to assure high rates of compliance with the current national standards for infection control. Prior to the audit, hospice staff had assumed that the rates of compliance for infection control approached 100%. This article shows that a good quality audit tool can be used to identify areas of shortfall in infection control and the effectiveness of putting in place an action plan followed by re-audit.

  1. 34 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of... - Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities, and Functions (GAO)

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 34 Education 3 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations... Programs Pt. 668, Subpt. B, App. A Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 668—Standards for Audit of Governmental... standard for governmental auditing is: In matters relating to the audit work, the audit organization and...

  2. Audit, guidelines and standards: clinical governance for hip fracture care in Scotland.

    PubMed

    Currie, Colin T; Hutchison, James D

    To report on experience of national-level audit, guidelines and standards for hip fracture care in Scotland. Scottish Hip Fracture Audit (from 1993) documents case-mix, process and outcomes of hip fracture care in Scotland. Evidence-based national guidelines on hip fracture care are available (1997, updated 2002). Hip fracture serves as a tracer condition by the health quality assurance authority for its work on older people, which reported in 2004. Audit data are used locally to document care and support and monitor service developments. Synergy between the guidelines and the audit provides a means of improving care locally and monitoring care nationally. External review by the quality assurance body shows to what extent guideline-based standards relating to A&E care, pre-operative delay, multidisciplinary care and audit participation are met. Three national-level initiatives on hip fracture care have delivered: Reliable and large-scale comparative information on case-mix, care and outcomes; evidence-based recommendations on care; and nationally accountable standards inspected and reported by the national health quality assurance authority. These developments are linked and synergistic, and enjoy both clinical and managerial support. They provide an evolving framework for clinical governance, with casemix-adjusted outcome assessment for hip fracture care as a next step.

  3. Criteria for clinical audit of women friendly care and providers' perception in Malawi

    PubMed Central

    Kongnyuy, Eugene J; van den Broek, Nynke

    2008-01-01

    Background There are two dimensions of quality of maternity care, namely quality of health outcomes and quality as perceived by clients. The feasibility of using clinical audit to assess and improve the quality of maternity care as perceived by women was studied in Malawi. Objective We sought to (a) establish standards for women friendly care and (b) explore attitudinal barriers which could impede the proper implementation of clinical audit. Methods We used evidence from Malawi national guidelines and World Health Organisation manuals to establish local standards for women friendly care in three districts. We equally conducted a survey of health care providers to explore their attitudes towards criterion based audit. Results The standards addressed different aspects of care given to women in maternity units, namely (i) reception, (ii) attitudes towards women, (iii) respect for culture, (iv) respect for women, (v) waiting time, (vi) enabling environment, (vii) provision of information, (viii) individualised care, (ix) provision of skilled attendance at birth and emergency obstetric care, (x) confidentiality, and (xi) proper management of patient information. The health providers in Malawi generally held a favourable attitude towards clinical audit: 100.0% (54/54) agreed that criterion based audit will improve the quality of care and 92.6% believed that clinical audit is a good educational tool. However, there are concerns that criterion based audit would create a feeling of blame among providers (35.2%), and that manager would use clinical audit to identify and punish providers who fail to meet standards (27.8%). Conclusion Developing standards of maternity care that are acceptable to, and valued by, women requires consideration of both the research evidence and cultural values. Clinical audit is acceptable to health professionals in Malawi although there are concerns about its negative implications to the providers. PMID:18647388

  4. Criteria for clinical audit of women friendly care and providers' perception in Malawi.

    PubMed

    Kongnyuy, Eugene J; van den Broek, Nynke

    2008-07-22

    There are two dimensions of quality of maternity care, namely quality of health outcomes and quality as perceived by clients. The feasibility of using clinical audit to assess and improve the quality of maternity care as perceived by women was studied in Malawi. We sought to (a) establish standards for women friendly care and (b) explore attitudinal barriers which could impede the proper implementation of clinical audit. We used evidence from Malawi national guidelines and World Health Organisation manuals to establish local standards for women friendly care in three districts. We equally conducted a survey of health care providers to explore their attitudes towards criterion based audit. The standards addressed different aspects of care given to women in maternity units, namely (i) reception, (ii) attitudes towards women, (iii) respect for culture, (iv) respect for women, (v) waiting time, (vi) enabling environment, (vii) provision of information, (viii) individualised care, (ix) provision of skilled attendance at birth and emergency obstetric care, (x) confidentiality, and (xi) proper management of patient information. The health providers in Malawi generally held a favourable attitude towards clinical audit: 100.0% (54/54) agreed that criterion based audit will improve the quality of care and 92.6% believed that clinical audit is a good educational tool. However, there are concerns that criterion based audit would create a feeling of blame among providers (35.2%), and that manager would use clinical audit to identify and punish providers who fail to meet standards (27.8%). Developing standards of maternity care that are acceptable to, and valued by, women requires consideration of both the research evidence and cultural values. Clinical audit is acceptable to health professionals in Malawi although there are concerns about its negative implications to the providers.

  5. Auditing of chromatographic data.

    PubMed

    Mabie, J T

    1998-01-01

    During a data audit, it is important to ensure that there is clear documentation and an audit trail. The Quality Assurance Unit should review all areas, including the laboratory, during the conduct of the sample analyses. The analytical methodology that is developed should be documented prior to sample analyses. This is an important document for the auditor, as it is the instrumental piece used by the laboratory personnel to maintain integrity throughout the process. It is expected that this document will give insight into the sample analysis, run controls, run sequencing, instrument parameters, and acceptance criteria for the samples. The sample analysis and all supporting documentation should be audited in conjunction with this written analytical method and any supporting Standard Operating Procedures to ensure the quality and integrity of the data.

  6. Hotline Complaint Involving Auditor Independence at a Field Audit Office in the Defense Contract Audit Agency Western Region

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-10-06

    the Comptroller General issued a “2011 Internet Version” of the standards on August 19, 2011, the new standards do not take effect until December 15...and make improvements to help ensure future compliance. Management Action: On August 3, 2011, DCAA issued revised training on GAGAS independence...a significant noncompliance willl Generally Accepted Government Auditing StAndards. During our review of’ a Defense I lot line comt >laint, we

  7. 12 CFR 550.450 - What standards govern the conduct of the audit?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false What standards govern the conduct of the audit? 550.450 Section 550.450 Banks and Banking OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY FIDUCIARY POWERS OF SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS Exercising Fiduciary Powers Audit Requirements § 550.450 What...

  8. 12 CFR 550.450 - What standards govern the conduct of the audit?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false What standards govern the conduct of the audit? 550.450 Section 550.450 Banks and Banking OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY FIDUCIARY POWERS OF SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS Exercising Fiduciary Powers Audit Requirements § 550.450 What...

  9. 12 CFR 704.15 - Audit and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which must be audited by an independent... report signatures. The chief executive officer and either the chief accounting officer or chief financial... financial reporting. Notwithstanding the requirements set forth in applicable professional standards, the...

  10. 12 CFR 704.15 - Audit and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which must be audited by an independent... report signatures. The chief executive officer and either the chief accounting officer or chief financial... financial reporting. Notwithstanding the requirements set forth in applicable professional standards, the...

  11. 12 CFR 704.15 - Audit and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which must be audited by an independent... report signatures. The chief executive officer and either the chief accounting officer or chief financial... financial reporting. Notwithstanding the requirements set forth in applicable professional standards, the...

  12. Auditing the standard of anaesthesia care in obstetric units.

    PubMed

    Mörch-Siddall, J; Corbitt, N; Bryson, M R

    2001-04-01

    We undertook an audit of 15 obstetric units in the north of England over a 10-month period to ascertain to what extent they conformed to the Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association 'Recommended Minimum Standards for Obstetric Anaesthetic Services' using a quality assurance approach. We demonstrated that all units conformed to the majority of standards but did not conform in at least one major and minor area.

  13. Setting the standard, implementation and auditing within haemodialysis.

    PubMed

    Jones, J

    1997-01-01

    With an ever increasing awareness of the need to deliver a quality of care that is measurable in Nursing, the concept of Standards provides an ideal tool (1). Standards operate outside the boundaries of policies and procedures to provide an audit tool of authenticity and flexibility. Within our five Renal Units, while we felt confident that we were delivering an excellent standard of care to our patients and continually trying to improve upon it, what we really needed was a method of measuring this current level of care and highlighting key areas where we could offer improvement.

  14. Review of Special Standards in Quality Management Systems Audits in Automotive Production

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Šurinová, Yulia

    2013-12-01

    Quality management systems (QMS) in automotive industry generally have several differences in comparison with other industrial branches. Different customers have their own specific requirements, including requirements for quality audits. Audits are one of the coretools of quality management to make the PDCA (Plan - Do - Check - Act) cycle work. As a matter of fact, compliance with ISO/TS 16949:2009 requirements is a condition for supplying the automotive industry. However, there are some standards which co-exist together with the ISO 9001 based management systems and technical specification for QMS in automotive ISO/TS16949. Which are those specific standards in automotive industry and what standard to use and why - those are the questions to be answered in this paper. The aim of the paper is to review what standards are used for audits implementation in automotive industry in the Slovak Republic, and why the organizations keep following those "extra" standards even if certification for ISO/TS 16949 is required by all the car makers. The paper is structured as follows: after short introduction to the topic and related terms, presented is our methodology. . In the third section, the achieved results are discussed. And finally, the principal findings of the paper, limitations and conclusions are presented.

  15. Setting standards for planning off duty and audit of practice.

    PubMed

    Walker, Linda; Minchin, Anne; Pickard, Jane

    The off duty or rostering system is an important part of managing any ward or department. This article looks at the issues that need to be considered when drawing up and managing off duty. It recommends standards for off-duty planning and shares the results of an audit carried out against some of these standards in one NHS trust.

  16. 75 FR 3509 - Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; Order Approving Proposed Rules on Auditing Standard No...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-01-21

    ... Accounting Oversight Board; Order Approving Proposed Rules on Auditing Standard No. 7, Engagement Quality... Accounting Oversight Board (the ``Board'' or the ``PCAOB'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission... standards for public company audits, including a requirement for each registered public accounting firm to...

  17. Report: McGladrey & Pullen, LLP Single Audit of Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, Inc., for Year Ended December 31, 2003

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Report #2005-S-00006, June 28, 2005. McGladrey & Pullen’s audit work met generally accepted government auditing standards and the requirements in Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133 and its related supplements.

  18. National stroke audit: a tool for change?

    PubMed Central

    Rudd, A; Lowe, D; Irwin, P; Rutledge, Z; Pearson, M

    2001-01-01

    Objectives—To describe the standards of care for stroke patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and to determine the power of national audit, coupled with an active dissemination strategy to effect change. Design—A national audit of organisational structure and retrospective case note audit, repeated within 18 months. Separate postal questionnaires were used to identify the types of change made between the first and second round and to compare the representativeness of the samples. Setting—157 trusts (64% of eligible trusts in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) participated in both rounds. Participants—5589 consecutive patients admitted with stroke between 1 January 1998 and 31 March 1998 (up to 40 per trust) and 5375 patients admitted between 1 August 1999 and 31 October 1999 (up to 40 per trust). Audit tool—Royal College of Physicians Intercollegiate Working Party stroke audit. Results—The proportion of patients managed on stroke units rose between the two audits from 19% to 26% with the proportion managed on general wards falling from 60% to 55% and those managed on general rehabilitation wards falling from 14% to 11%. Standards of assessment, rehabilitation, and discharge planning improved equally on stroke units and general wards, but in many aspects remained poor (41% formal cognitive assessment, 46% weighed once during admission, 67% physiotherapy assessment within 72 hours, 24% plan documented for mood disturbance, 36% carers' needs assessed separately). Conclusions—Nationally conducted audit linked to a comprehensive dissemination programme was effective in stimulating improvements in the quality of care for patients with stroke. More patients are being managed on stroke units and multidisciplinary care is becoming more widespread. There remain, however, many areas where standards of care are low, indicating a need for investment of skills and resources to achieve acceptable levels. Key Words: stroke; clinical audit PMID:11533421

  19. 75 FR 61143 - Financial Management and Assurance; Government Auditing Standards

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-04

    ... GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE Financial Management and Assurance; Government Auditing Standards Correction In notice document 2010-23374 beginning on page 57274 in the issue of Monday, September 20, 2010 make the following corrections: 1. On page 57275, in the first column, under the ADDRESSES section, in...

  20. 7 CFR 1773.7 - Audit standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    .... (b) The audit must include such tests of the accounting records and such other auditing procedures... imposed by the borrower, the CPA should use professional judgment to determine what levels of the borrower...

  1. 7 CFR 1773.7 - Audit standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    .... (b) The audit must include such tests of the accounting records and such other auditing procedures... imposed by the borrower, the CPA should use professional judgment to determine what levels of the borrower...

  2. 7 CFR 1773.7 - Audit standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    .... (b) The audit must include such tests of the accounting records and such other auditing procedures... imposed by the borrower, the CPA should use professional judgment to determine what levels of the borrower...

  3. 7 CFR 1773.7 - Audit standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    .... (b) The audit must include such tests of the accounting records and such other auditing procedures... imposed by the borrower, the CPA should use professional judgment to determine what levels of the borrower...

  4. 7 CFR 1773.7 - Audit standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    .... (b) The audit must include such tests of the accounting records and such other auditing procedures... imposed by the borrower, the CPA should use professional judgment to determine what levels of the borrower...

  5. National stroke audit: a tool for change?

    PubMed

    Rudd, A G; Lowe, D; Irwin, P; Rutledge, Z; Pearson, M

    2001-09-01

    To describe the standards of care for stroke patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and to determine the power of national audit, coupled with an active dissemination strategy to effect change. A national audit of organisational structure and retrospective case note audit, repeated within 18 months. Separate postal questionnaires were used to identify the types of change made between the first and second round and to compare the representativeness of the samples. 157 trusts (64% of eligible trusts in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) participated in both rounds. 5589 consecutive patients admitted with stroke between 1 January 1998 and 31 March 1998 (up to 40 per trust) and 5375 patients admitted between 1 August 1999 and 31 October 1999 (up to 40 per trust). Audit tool-Royal College of Physicians Intercollegiate Working Party stroke audit. The proportion of patients managed on stroke units rose between the two audits from 19% to 26% with the proportion managed on general wards falling from 60% to 55% and those managed on general rehabilitation wards falling from 14% to 11%. Standards of assessment, rehabilitation, and discharge planning improved equally on stroke units and general wards, but in many aspects remained poor (41% formal cognitive assessment, 46% weighed once during admission, 67% physiotherapy assessment within 72 hours, 24% plan documented for mood disturbance, 36% carers' needs assessed separately). Nationally conducted audit linked to a comprehensive dissemination programme was effective in stimulating improvements in the quality of care for patients with stroke. More patients are being managed on stroke units and multidisciplinary care is becoming more widespread. There remain, however, many areas where standards of care are low, indicating a need for investment of skills and resources to achieve acceptable levels.

  6. Auditing audits: use and development of the Oxfordshire Medical Audit Advisory Group rating system.

    PubMed Central

    Lawrence, M.; Griew, K.; Derry, J.; Anderson, J.; Humphreys, J.

    1994-01-01

    OBJECTIVES--To assess the value of the Oxfordshire Medical Audit Advisory Group rating system in monitoring and stimulating audit activity, and to implement a development of the system. DESIGN--Use of the rating system for assessment of practice audits on three annual visits in Oxfordshire; development and use of an "audit grid" as a refinement of the system; questionnaire to all medical audit advisory groups in England and Wales. SETTING--All 85 general practices in Oxfordshire; all 95 medical audit advisory groups in England and Wales. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Level of practices' audit activity as measured by rating scale and grid. Use of scale nationally together with perceptions of strengths and weaknesses as perceived by chairs of medical audit advisory groups. RESULTS--After one year Oxfordshire practices more than attained the target standards set in 1991, with 72% doing audit involving setting target standards or implementing change; by 1993 this had risen to 78%. Most audits were confined to chronic disease management, preventive care, and appointments. 38 of 92 medical audit advisory groups used the Oxfordshire group's rating scale. Its main weaknesses were insensitivity in assessing the quality of audits and failure to measure team involvement. CONCLUSIONS--The rating system is effective educationally in helping practices improve and summatively for providing feedback to family health service authorities. The grid showed up weakness in the breadth of audit topics studied. IMPLICATIONS AND ACTION--Oxfordshire practices achieved targets set for 1991-2 but need to broaden the scope of their audits and the topics studied. The advisory group's targets for 1994-5 are for 50% of practices to achieve an audit in each of the areas of clinical care, access, communication, and professional values and for 80% of audits to include setting targets or implementing change. PMID:8086911

  7. Fourth consensus of the International Society for Premenstrual Disorders (ISPMD): auditable standards for diagnosis and management of premenstrual disorder.

    PubMed

    Ismaili, Elgerta; Walsh, Sally; O'Brien, Patrick Michael Shaughn; Bäckström, Torbjorn; Brown, Candace; Dennerstein, Lorraine; Eriksson, Elias; Freeman, Ellen W; Ismail, Khaled M K; Panay, Nicholas; Pearlstein, Teri; Rapkin, Andrea; Steiner, Meir; Studd, John; Sundström-Paromma, Inger; Endicott, Jean; Epperson, C Neill; Halbreich, Uriel; Reid, Robert; Rubinow, David; Schmidt, Peter; Yonkers, Kimberley

    2016-12-01

    Whilst professional bodies such as the Royal College and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have well-established standards for audit of management for most gynaecology disorders, such standards for premenstrual disorders (PMDs) have yet to be developed. The International Society of Premenstrual Disorders (ISPMD) has already published three consensus papers on PMDs covering areas that include definition, classification/quantification, clinical trial design and management (American College Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2011; Brown et al. in Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2:CD001396, 2009; Dickerson et al. in Am Fam Physician 67(8):1743-1752, 2003). In this fourth consensus of ISPMD, we aim to create a set of auditable standards for the clinical management of PMDs. All members of the original ISPMD consensus group were invited to submit one or more auditable standards to be eligible in the inclusion of the consensus. Ninety-five percent of members (18/19) responded with at least one auditable standard. A total of 66 auditable standards were received, which were returned to all group members who then ranked the standards in order of priority, before the results were collated. Proposed standards related to the diagnosis of PMDs identified the importance of obtaining an accurate history, that a symptom diary should be kept for 2 months prior to diagnosis and that symptom reporting demonstrates symptoms in the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle and relieved by menstruation. Regarding treatment, the most important standards were the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a first line treatment, an evidence-based approach to treatment and that SSRI side effects are properly explained to patients. A set of comprehensive standards to be used in the diagnosis and treatment of PMD has been established, for which PMD management can be audited against for standardised and improved care.

  8. 24 CFR 990.320 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Audits. 990.320 Section 990.320... HOUSING OPERATING FUND PROGRAM Financial Management Systems, Monitoring, and Reporting § 990.320 Audits. All PHAs that receive financial assistance under this part shall submit an acceptable audit and comply...

  9. National BTS bronchiectasis audit 2012: is the quality standard being adhered to in adult secondary care?

    PubMed

    Hill, Adam T; Routh, Chris; Welham, Sally

    2014-03-01

    A significant step towards improving care of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis was the creation of the British Thoracic Society (BTS) national guidelines and the quality standard. A BTS bronchiectasis audit was conducted between 1 October and 30 November 2012, in adult patients with bronchiectasis attending secondary care, against the BTS quality standard. Ninety-eight institutions took part, submitting a total of 3147 patient records. The audit highlighted the variable adoption of the quality standard. It will allow the host institutions to benchmark against UK figures and drive quality improvement programmes to promote the quality standard and improve patient care.

  10. Comparison Between Manual Auditing and a Natural Language Process With Machine Learning Algorithm to Evaluate Faculty Use of Standardized Reports in Radiology.

    PubMed

    Guimaraes, Carolina V; Grzeszczuk, Robert; Bisset, George S; Donnelly, Lane F

    2018-03-01

    When implementing or monitoring department-sanctioned standardized radiology reports, feedback about individual faculty performance has been shown to be a useful driver of faculty compliance. Most commonly, these data are derived from manual audit, which can be both time-consuming and subject to sampling error. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a software program using natural language processing and machine learning could accurately audit radiologist compliance with the use of standardized reports compared with performed manual audits. Radiology reports from a 1-month period were loaded into such a software program, and faculty compliance with use of standardized reports was calculated. For that same period, manual audits were performed (25 reports audited for each of 42 faculty members). The mean compliance rates calculated by automated auditing were then compared with the confidence interval of the mean rate by manual audit. The mean compliance rate for use of standardized reports as determined by manual audit was 91.2% with a confidence interval between 89.3% and 92.8%. The mean compliance rate calculated by automated auditing was 92.0%, within that confidence interval. This study shows that by use of natural language processing and machine learning algorithms, an automated analysis can accurately define whether reports are compliant with use of standardized report templates and language, compared with manual audits. This may avoid significant labor costs related to conducting the manual auditing process. Copyright © 2017 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. History on Trial: Evaluating Learning Outcomes through Audit and Accreditation in a National Standards Environment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brawley, Sean; Clark, Jennifer; Dixon, Chris; Ford, Lisa; Nielsen, Erik; Ross, Shawn; Upton, Stuart

    2015-01-01

    This paper uses a trial audit of history programs undertaken in 2011-­2012 to explore issues surrounding the attainment of Threshold Learning Outcomes (TLOs) in an emerging Australian national standards environment for the discipline of history. The audit sought to ascertain whether an accreditation process managed by the discipline under the…

  12. Offering the vaccine and accepting it: an audit of hepatitis B vaccination in West Midlands region.

    PubMed

    Jaleel, Henna; Allan, P S; Huengsberg, Mia; Natin, D

    2003-09-01

    The practice of hepatitis B screening and vaccination in genitourinary medicine clinics in the West Midlands Region is audited against the standards set by 1999 Medical Society for the Study of Venereal Disease National Guidelines.

  13. 42 CFR 137.168 - May the Secretary require audit or accounting standards other than those specified in § 137.167?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false May the Secretary require audit or accounting... SERVICES TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE Operational Provisions Audits and Cost Principles § 137.168 May the Secretary require audit or accounting standards other than those specified in § 137.167? No, no other audit...

  14. Ideology and Audit Culture: Standardized Service Quality Surveys in Academic Libraries

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lilburn, Jeff

    2017-01-01

    This article examines the relationship between the standardized service quality survey LibQUAL+ and the rise of audit culture. Recent scholarship examining assessment and accountability systems and the ideological principles driving their implementation in higher education raises concerns about the impact these systems have on teaching, learning,…

  15. Software Assists in Extensive Environmental Auditing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Callac, Christopher; Matherne, Charlie

    2002-01-01

    The Base Enivronmental Management System (BEMS) is a Web-based application program for managing and tracking audits by the Environmental Office of Stennis Space Center in conformity with standard 14001 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001). (This standard specifies requirements for an environmental-management system.) BEMS saves time by partly automating what were previously manual processes for creating audit checklists; recording and tracking audit results; issuing, tracking, and implementing corrective-action requests (CARs); tracking continuous improvements (CIs); and tracking audit results and statistics. BEMS consists on an administration module and an auditor module. As its name suggests, the administration module is used to administer the audit. It helps administrators to edit the list of audit questions; edit the list of audit locations; assign manditory questions to locations; track, approve, and edit CARs; and edit completed audits. The auditor module is used by auditors to perform audits and record audit results: It helps the auditors to create audit checklists, complete audits, view completed audits, create CARs, record and acknowledge CIs, and generate reports from audit results.

  16. Software Assists in Extensive Environmental Auditing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Callac, Christopher; Matherne, Charlie

    2003-01-01

    The Base Environmental Management System (BEMS) is a Web-based application program for managing and tracking audits by the Environmental Office of Stennis Space Center in conformity with standard 14001 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001). (This standard specifies requirements for an environmental-management system.) BEMS saves time by partly automating what were previously manual processes for creating audit checklists; recording and tracking audit results; issuing, tracking, and implementing corrective-action requests (CARs); tracking continuous improvements (CIs); and tracking audit results and statistics. BEMS consists of an administration module and an auditor module. As its name suggests, the administration module is used to administer the audit. It helps administrators to edit the list of audit questions; edit the list of audit locations; assign mandatory questions to locations; track, approve, and edit CARs; and edit completed audits. The auditor module is used by auditors to perform audits and record audit results: it helps the auditors to create audit checklists, complete audits, view completed audits, create CARs, record and acknowledge CIs, and generate reports from audit results.

  17. Software Assists in Extensive Environmental Auditing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Callac, Christopher; Matherne, Charlie; Selinsky, T.

    2002-01-01

    The Base Environmental Management System (BEMS) is a Web-based application program for managing and tracking audits by the Environmental Office of Stennis Space Center in conformity with standard 14001 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001). (This standard specifies requirements for an environmental-management system.) BEMS saves time by partly automating what were previously manual processes for creating audit checklists; recording and tracking audit results; issuing, tracking, and implementing corrective-action requests (CARs); tracking continuous improvements (CIs); and tracking audit results and statistics. BEMS consists of an administration module and an auditor module. As its name suggests, the administration module is used to administer the audit. It helps administrators to edit the list of audit questions; edit the list of audit locations; assign mandatory questions to locations; track, approve, and edit CARs; and edit completed audits. The auditor module is used by auditors to perform audits and record audit results: it helps the auditors to create audit checklists, complete audits, view completed audits, create CARs, record and acknowledge CIs, and generate reports from audit results.

  18. 29 CFR 96.43 - Relation of organization-wide audits to other audit requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Relation of organization-wide audits to other audit requirements. 96.43 Section 96.43 Labor Office of the Secretary of Labor AUDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTS, CONTRACTS, AND OTHER AGREEMENTS Access to Records, Audit Standards and Relation of Organization-wide Audits to Other Audit Requirements § 96.43 Relation...

  19. Radiotherapy dosimetry audit: three decades of improving standards and accuracy in UK clinical practice and trials.

    PubMed

    Clark, Catharine H; Aird, Edwin G A; Bolton, Steve; Miles, Elizabeth A; Nisbet, Andrew; Snaith, Julia A D; Thomas, Russell A S; Venables, Karen; Thwaites, David I

    2015-01-01

    Dosimetry audit plays an important role in the development and safety of radiotherapy. National and large scale audits are able to set, maintain and improve standards, as well as having the potential to identify issues which may cause harm to patients. They can support implementation of complex techniques and can facilitate awareness and understanding of any issues which may exist by benchmarking centres with similar equipment. This review examines the development of dosimetry audit in the UK over the past 30 years, including the involvement of the UK in international audits. A summary of audit results is given, with an overview of methodologies employed and lessons learnt. Recent and forthcoming more complex audits are considered, with a focus on future needs including the arrival of proton therapy in the UK and other advanced techniques such as four-dimensional radiotherapy delivery and verification, stereotactic radiotherapy and MR linear accelerators. The work of the main quality assurance and auditing bodies is discussed, including how they are working together to streamline audit and to ensure that all radiotherapy centres are involved. Undertaking regular external audit motivates centres to modernize and develop techniques and provides assurance, not only that radiotherapy is planned and delivered accurately but also that the patient dose delivered is as prescribed.

  20. Radiotherapy dosimetry audit: three decades of improving standards and accuracy in UK clinical practice and trials

    PubMed Central

    Aird, Edwin GA; Bolton, Steve; Miles, Elizabeth A; Nisbet, Andrew; Snaith, Julia AD; Thomas, Russell AS; Venables, Karen; Thwaites, David I

    2015-01-01

    Dosimetry audit plays an important role in the development and safety of radiotherapy. National and large scale audits are able to set, maintain and improve standards, as well as having the potential to identify issues which may cause harm to patients. They can support implementation of complex techniques and can facilitate awareness and understanding of any issues which may exist by benchmarking centres with similar equipment. This review examines the development of dosimetry audit in the UK over the past 30 years, including the involvement of the UK in international audits. A summary of audit results is given, with an overview of methodologies employed and lessons learnt. Recent and forthcoming more complex audits are considered, with a focus on future needs including the arrival of proton therapy in the UK and other advanced techniques such as four-dimensional radiotherapy delivery and verification, stereotactic radiotherapy and MR linear accelerators. The work of the main quality assurance and auditing bodies is discussed, including how they are working together to streamline audit and to ensure that all radiotherapy centres are involved. Undertaking regular external audit motivates centres to modernize and develop techniques and provides assurance, not only that radiotherapy is planned and delivered accurately but also that the patient dose delivered is as prescribed. PMID:26329469

  1. National audit of continence care: laying the foundation.

    PubMed

    Mian, Sarah; Wagg, Adrian; Irwin, Penny; Lowe, Derek; Potter, Jonathan; Pearson, Michael

    2005-12-01

    National audit provides a basis for establishing performance against national standards, benchmarking against other service providers and improving standards of care. For effective audit, clinical indicators are required that are valid, feasible to apply and reliable. This study describes the methods used to develop clinical indicators of continence care in preparation for a national audit. To describe the methods used to develop and test clinical indicators of continence care with regard to validity, feasibility and reliability. A multidisciplinary working group developed clinical indicators that measured the structure, process and outcome of care as well as case-mix variables. Literature searching, consensus workshops and a Delphi process were used to develop the indicators. The indicators were tested in 15 secondary care sites, 15 primary care sites and 15 long-term care settings. The process of development produced indicators that received a high degree of consensus within the Delphi process. Testing of the indicators demonstrated an internal reliability of 0.7 and an external reliability of 0.6. Data collection required significant investment in terms of staff time and training. The method used produced indicators that achieved a high degree of acceptance from health care professionals. The reliability of data collection was high for this audit and was similar to the level seen in other successful national audits. Data collection for the indicators was feasible to collect, however, issues of time and staffing were identified as limitations to such data collection. The study has described a systematic method for developing clinical indicators for national audit. The indicators proved robust and reliable in primary and secondary care as well as long-term care settings.

  2. Virtual EPID standard phantom audit (VESPA) for remote IMRT and VMAT credentialing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Miri, Narges; Lehmann, Joerg; Legge, Kimberley; Vial, Philip; Greer, Peter B.

    2017-06-01

    A virtual EPID standard phantom audit (VESPA) has been implemented for remote auditing in support of facility credentialing for clinical trials using IMRT and VMAT. VESPA is based on published methods and a clinically established IMRT QA procedure, here extended to multi-vendor equipment. Facilities are provided with comprehensive instructions and CT datasets to create treatment plans. They deliver the treatment directly to their EPID without any phantom or couch in the beam. In addition, they deliver a set of simple calibration fields per instructions. Collected EPID images are uploaded electronically. In the analysis, the dose is projected back into a virtual cylindrical phantom. 3D gamma analysis is performed. 2D dose planes and linear dose profiles are provided and can be considered when needed for clarification. In addition, using a virtual flat-phantom, 2D field-by-field or arc-by-arc gamma analyses are performed. Pilot facilities covering a range of planning and delivery systems have performed data acquisition and upload successfully. Advantages of VESPA are (1) fast turnaround mainly driven by the facility’s capability of providing the requested EPID images, (2) the possibility for facilities performing the audit in parallel, as there is no need to wait for a phantom, (3) simple and efficient credentialing for international facilities, (4) a large set of data points, and (5) a reduced impact on resources and environment as there is no need to transport heavy phantoms or audit staff. Limitations of the current implementation of VESPA for trials credentialing are that it does not provide absolute dosimetry, therefore a Level I audit is still required, and that it relies on correctly delivered open calibration fields, which are used for system calibration. The implemented EPID based IMRT and VMAT audit system promises to dramatically improve credentialing efficiency for clinical trials and wider applications.

  3. Virtual EPID standard phantom audit (VESPA) for remote IMRT and VMAT credentialing.

    PubMed

    Miri, Narges; Lehmann, Joerg; Legge, Kimberley; Vial, Philip; Greer, Peter B

    2017-06-07

    A virtual EPID standard phantom audit (VESPA) has been implemented for remote auditing in support of facility credentialing for clinical trials using IMRT and VMAT. VESPA is based on published methods and a clinically established IMRT QA procedure, here extended to multi-vendor equipment. Facilities are provided with comprehensive instructions and CT datasets to create treatment plans. They deliver the treatment directly to their EPID without any phantom or couch in the beam. In addition, they deliver a set of simple calibration fields per instructions. Collected EPID images are uploaded electronically. In the analysis, the dose is projected back into a virtual cylindrical phantom. 3D gamma analysis is performed. 2D dose planes and linear dose profiles are provided and can be considered when needed for clarification. In addition, using a virtual flat-phantom, 2D field-by-field or arc-by-arc gamma analyses are performed. Pilot facilities covering a range of planning and delivery systems have performed data acquisition and upload successfully. Advantages of VESPA are (1) fast turnaround mainly driven by the facility's capability of providing the requested EPID images, (2) the possibility for facilities performing the audit in parallel, as there is no need to wait for a phantom, (3) simple and efficient credentialing for international facilities, (4) a large set of data points, and (5) a reduced impact on resources and environment as there is no need to transport heavy phantoms or audit staff. Limitations of the current implementation of VESPA for trials credentialing are that it does not provide absolute dosimetry, therefore a Level I audit is still required, and that it relies on correctly delivered open calibration fields, which are used for system calibration. The implemented EPID based IMRT and VMAT audit system promises to dramatically improve credentialing efficiency for clinical trials and wider applications.

  4. THE SEXUAL DOUBLE STANDARD AND ADOLESCENT PEER ACCEPTANCE*

    PubMed Central

    Kreager, Derek A.; Staff, Jeremy

    2014-01-01

    The belief that women and men are held to different standards of sexual conduct is pervasive in contemporary American society. According to the sexual double standard, boys and men are rewarded and praised for heterosexual sexual contacts, whereas girls and women are derogated and stigmatized for similar behaviors. Although widely held by the general public, research findings on the sexual double standard remain equivocal, with qualitative studies and early attitudinal surveys generally finding evidence of the double standard and more recent experimental vignette designs often failing to find similar results. In this study, we extend prior research by directly measuring the social status of sexually permissive youth. We use data collected from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to relate adolescents’ self-reported numbers of sexual partners to a network measure of peer acceptance. Results suggest that the association between lifetime sexual partnerships and peer status varies significantly by gender, such that greater numbers of sexual partners are positively correlated with boys’ peer acceptance, but negatively correlated with girls’ peer acceptance. Moreover, the relationship between boys’ sexual behaviors and peer acceptance is moderated by socioeconomic origins; sexually permissive boys from disadvantaged backgrounds are predicted to have more friendships than permissive boys from more advantaged backgrounds. Our results thus support the existence of an adolescent sexual double standard and suggest that sexual norms vary by both gender and socioeconomic origins. PMID:25484478

  5. Audit activity and quality of completed audit projects in primary care in Staffordshire.

    PubMed Central

    Chambers, R; Bowyer, S; Campbell, I

    1995-01-01

    OBJECTIVES--To survey audit activity in primary care and determine which practice factors are associated with completed audit; to survey the quality of completed audit projects. DESIGN--From April 1992 to June 1993 a team from the medical audit advisory group visited all general practices; a research assistant visited each practice to study the best audit project. Data were collected in structured interviews. SETTING--Staffordshire, United Kingdom. SUBJECTS--All 189 general practices. MAIN MEASURES--Audit activity using Oxford classification system. Quality of best audit project by assessing choice of topic; participation of practice staff; setting of standards; methods of data collection and presentation of results; whether a plan to make changes resulted from the audit; and whether changes led to the set standards being achieved. RESULTS--Audit information was available from 169 practices (89%). 44(26%) practices had carried out at least one full audit; 40(24%) had not started audit. Mean scores with the Oxford classification system were significantly higher with the presence of a practice manager (2.7(95% confidence interval 2.4 to 2.9) v 1.2(0.7 to 1.8), p < 0.0001) and with computerisation (2.8(2.5 to 3.1) v 1.4 (0.9 to 2.0), p < 0.0001), organised notes (2.6(2.1 to 3.0) v 1.7(7.2 to 2.2), p = 0.03), being a training practice (3.5(3.2 to 3.8) v 2.1(1.8 to 2.4), p < 0.0001), and being a partnership (2.8(2.6 to 3.0) v 1.5(1.1 to 2.0), p < 0.0001). Standards had been set in 62 of the 71 projects reviewed. Data were collected prospectively in 36 projects and retrospectively in 35. 16 projects entailed taking samples from a study population and 55 from the whole population. 50 projects had a written summary. Performance was less than the standards set or expected in 56 projects. 62 practices made changes as a result of the audit. 35 of the 53 that had reviewed the changes found that the original standards had been reached. CONCLUSIONS--Evaluation of audit in

  6. 28 CFR 804.5 - Audit and public inspection.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Audit and public inspection. 804.5 Section 804.5 Judicial Administration COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPERVISION AGENCY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS § 804.5 Audit and public inspection. (a) Records regarding the acceptance and use of gifts shall be made available for...

  7. Gynecologic Oncology Group quality assurance audits: analysis and initiatives for improvement.

    PubMed

    Blessing, John A; Bialy, Sally A; Whitney, Charles W; Stonebraker, Bette L; Stehman, Frederick B

    2010-08-01

    The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) is a multi-institution, multi-discipline Cooperative Group funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to conduct clinical trials which investigate the treatment, prevention, control, quality of survivorship, and translational science of gynecologic malignancies. In 1982, the NCI initiated a program of on-site quality assurance audits of participating institutions. Each is required to be audited at least once every 3 years. In GOG, the audit mandate is the responsibility of the GOG Quality Assurance Audit Committee and it is centralized in the Statistical and Data Center (SDC). Each component (Regulatory, Investigational Drug Pharmacy, Patient Case Review) is classified as Acceptable, Acceptable, follow-up required, or Unacceptable. To determine frequently occurring deviations and develop focused innovative solutions to address them. A database was created to examine the deviations noted at the most recent audit conducted at 57 GOG parent institutions during 2004-2007. Cumulatively, this involved 687 patients and 306 protocols. The results documented commendable performance: Regulatory (39 Acceptable, 17 Acceptable, follow-up, 1 Unacceptable); Pharmacy (41 Acceptable, 3 Acceptable, follow-up, 1 Unacceptable, 12 N/A): Patient Case Review (31 Acceptable, 22 Acceptable, follow-up, 4 Unacceptable). The nature of major and lesser deviations was analyzed to create and enhance initiatives for improvement of the quality of clinical research. As a result, Group-wide proactive initiatives were undertaken, audit training sessions have emphasized recurring issues, and GOG Data Management Subcommittee agendas have provided targeted instruction and training. The analysis was based upon parent institutions only; affiliate institutions and Community Clinical Oncology Program participants were not included, although it is assumed their areas of difficulty are similar. The coordination of the GOG Quality Assurance Audit program in the SDC has

  8. A prospective audit of the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of low-volume polyethylene glycol (2 L) versus standard volume polyethylene glycol (4 L) versus magnesium citrate plus stimulant laxative as bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

    PubMed

    Kelly, Nicholas Michael; Rodgers, Colin; Patterson, Neil; Jacob, Sudheer George; Mainie, Inder

    2012-08-01

    High-quality video colonoscopy requires adequate preparation of the bowel to ensure both adequate procedure completion rates and polyp detection rates. We sought to examine our practice to determine which bowel preparation cleansed most effectively in our patients. A prospective audit of the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of low-volume polyethylene glycol (2-L Moviprep; Norgine Pharmaceuticals) versus standard volume polyethylene glycol (4-L KleanPrep; Norgine Pharmaceuticals) versus magnesium citrate (Citramag; Sanochemia UK Ltd.) plus stimulant laxative as bowel preparation for colonoscopy. District General Hospital. Patients attending for day case colonoscopy. Not applicable. Overall cleansing grades of preparations used: patient compliance, taste, and acceptability. A prospective audit of patient experience of taking bowel preparation and blinded colonic scoring assessment of bowel cleansing of each of the tested regimes. A total of 258 (female,138; 53.5%) patients were recruited, 91 in the KleanPrep group (F:45, 49.5%), 86 patients in the Moviprep group (female, 45; 52.3%), and 81 in the Senna/Citramag group (female, 44; 54.3%). Significantly more patients were unable to take the prescribed dose of KleanPrep when compared with the other 2 regimes (19.6%; P<0.0001 vs. Moviprep; P<0.0001 vs. Senna/Citramag). A total of 45.65% of patients reported KleanPrep as tasting unpleasant. This was significantly more than both Moviprep (10.47%; P=0.008) and Senna/Citramag (9.88%; P<0.0001). The overall cleansing efficacy across the 3 groups (those with grades A or B) was 73.9%, 74.5%, and 86.5% for KleanPrep, Moviprep, and Senna/Citramag, respectively. In this series Senna/Citramag proved significantly better at bowel cleansing than KleanPrep (P<0.05) and it showed a trend toward better cleansing when compared with Moviprep (P=0.08). Nonrandomized trial. Split-dosing regime for morning and afternoon lists may have confounded results. In summary, low-volume PEG

  9. 30 CFR 1229.123 - Standards for audit activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...) Qualifications. The auditors assigned to perform the audit must collectively possess adequate professional proficiency for the tasks required, including a knowledge of accounting, auditing, agency regulations, and... shall maintain an independent attitude and appearance. (iii) Due professional care. Due professional...

  10. 30 CFR 1229.123 - Standards for audit activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...) Qualifications. The auditors assigned to perform the audit must collectively possess adequate professional proficiency for the tasks required, including a knowledge of accounting, auditing, agency regulations, and... shall maintain an independent attitude and appearance. (iii) Due professional care. Due professional...

  11. 30 CFR 1229.123 - Standards for audit activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...) Qualifications. The auditors assigned to perform the audit must collectively possess adequate professional proficiency for the tasks required, including a knowledge of accounting, auditing, agency regulations, and... shall maintain an independent attitude and appearance. (iii) Due professional care. Due professional...

  12. 30 CFR 735.22 - Audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Audit. 735.22 Section 735.22 Mineral Resources... ENFORCEMENT § 735.22 Audit. The agency shall arrange for an independent audit no less frequently than once..., Attachment P. The audits will be performed in accordance with the “Standards for Audit of Governmental...

  13. 25 CFR 543.23 - What are the minimum internal control standards for audit and accounting?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... supervision, bingo cards, bingo card sales, draw, prize payout; cash and equivalent controls, technologic aids... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for audit... INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.23 What are the...

  14. 25 CFR 543.23 - What are the minimum internal control standards for audit and accounting?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... supervision, bingo cards, bingo card sales, draw, prize payout; cash and equivalent controls, technologic aids... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for audit... INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.23 What are the...

  15. 30 CFR 725.19 - Audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Audit. 725.19 Section 725.19 Mineral Resources... REGULATIONS REIMBURSEMENTS TO STATES § 725.19 Audit. The agency shall arrange for an independent audit no less... Circular No. A-102, Attachment P. The audits will be performed in accordance with the “Standards for Audit...

  16. 30 CFR 253.24 - When I submit audited annual financial statements to verify my net worth, what standards must...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... statements to verify my net worth, what standards must they meet? (a) Your audited annual financial statements must be bound. (b) Your audited annual financial statements must include the unqualified opinion of an independent accountant that states: (1) The financial statements are free from material...

  17. Ideal Standards, Acceptance, and Relationship Satisfaction: Latitudes of Differential Effects

    PubMed Central

    Buyukcan-Tetik, Asuman; Campbell, Lorne; Finkenauer, Catrin; Karremans, Johan C.; Kappen, Gesa

    2017-01-01

    We examined whether the relations of consistency between ideal standards and perceptions of a current romantic partner with partner acceptance and relationship satisfaction level off, or decelerate, above a threshold. We tested our hypothesis using a 3-year longitudinal data set collected from heterosexual newlywed couples. We used two indicators of consistency: pattern correspondence (within-person correlation between ideal standards and perceived partner ratings) and mean-level match (difference between ideal standards score and perceived partner score). Our results revealed that pattern correspondence had no relation with partner acceptance, but a positive linear/exponential association with relationship satisfaction. Mean-level match had a significant positive association with actor’s acceptance and relationship satisfaction up to the point where perceived partner score equaled ideal standards score. Partner effects did not show a consistent pattern. The results suggest that the consistency between ideal standards and perceived partner attributes has a non-linear association with acceptance and relationship satisfaction, although the results were more conclusive for mean-level match. PMID:29033876

  18. A multihospital medication allergy audit: a means to quality assurance.

    PubMed

    Hoffmann, R P; Ellerbrock, M C; Lovett, J E

    1982-04-01

    Seventeen community hospitals within the 16 division of the Sisters of Mercy Health Corporation cooperatively participated in a medication allergy audit program. Initial and follow-up audits were conducted at each hospital to determine whether allergy information for penicillin- or aspirin-sensitive patients was appropriately communicated to the pharmacist. A total of 483 patient records were reviewed during each audit which corresponded to 12% of each hospital's average patient census. In the initial audit, the overall acceptance rate for the combined hospitals was 62.3%. Following the first audit, each hospital undertook corrective follow-up measures in an attempt to improve its results. In the second audit, the overall acceptance rate improved significantly to 78.9%. It is concluded that this auditing process followed by corrective follow-up measures was an effective mechanism for improving the communication of patient allergy information and is a means to quality assurance. Future audits will be necessary to determine whether the beneficial effects produced will be sustained or improved.

  19. 30 CFR 229.123 - Standards for audit activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... performed under a delegation of authority. (1) General standards—(i) Qualifications. The auditors assigned...) Independence. In all matters relating to the audit work, the audit organization and the individual auditors... evaluation. Auditors should be alert to situations or transactions that could be indicative of fraud, abuse...

  20. Audit of dental practice record-keeping: a PCT-coordinated clinical audit by Worcestershire dentists.

    PubMed

    Cole, Andrew; McMichael, Alan

    2009-07-01

    A collaborative audit of clinical record-keeping standards was performed among Worcestershire dentists. Its aims were to improve the quality of National Health Service (NHS) patient care and to assist dentists to perform well during Dental Reference Service practice visits. Worcestershire dentists with NHS contracts were invited to take part in this audit. Each dentist audited a random selection of 30 of their dental clinical records against a common framework comprising eight domains. Record-keeping, and the presence or absence of key diagnostic and treatment planning details were recorded. Grading was applied in four categories, in which grades 1 and 2 were good (1) and adequate (2), captured on data-collection sheets and centrally analysed for frequency of each grade. Out of a total of 184 Worcestershire general dental practitioners, 161 (87.5%) submitted usable responses. The audit revealed wide variation between dentists in clinical record-keeping. The recording of soft tissues (36% below grade 2), periodontal status (30%), radiographic review (27%), and note-taking (25%) all fell below the standard that had been set (brackets show proportion not meeting the standard). The results provided baseline information about the standard of record-keeping in NHS dental practices in Worcestershire. The collaborative nature of the audit enabled dissemination of individual results to participants, to facilitate comparison (anonymously) against their peers. The audit provided impetus for the Primary Care Trust (PCT) to arrange postgraduate education on record-keeping and to raise awareness among local dentists about record-keeping. The subsequent report to dentists explored the record-keeping standards expected during practice inspections undertaken by the Dental Reference Service. Worcestershire PCT's method of collaborative dental audit could potentially replace the previous national programme of dental audit, formerly coordinated locally.

  1. 24 CFR 570.495 - Reviews and audits response.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Reviews and audits response. 570... Development Block Grant Program § 570.495 Reviews and audits response. (a) If HUD's review and audit under... information or assurances will be required before acceptance of one or more of the certifications required for...

  2. 20 CFR 632.33 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Audits. 632.33 Section 632.33 Employees... AND TRAINING PROGRAMS Administrative Standards and Procedures § 632.33 Audits. (a) General. The audit provisions of 41 CFR part 29-70 shall apply to Native American grantees. Until unified or single audit...

  3. Internal audit in a microbiology laboratory.

    PubMed Central

    Mifsud, A J; Shafi, M S

    1995-01-01

    AIM--To set up a programme of internal laboratory audit in a medical microbiology laboratory. METHODS--A model of laboratory based process audit is described. Laboratory activities were examined in turn by specimen type. Standards were set using laboratory standard operating procedures; practice was observed using a purpose designed questionnaire and the data were analysed by computer; performance was assessed at laboratory audit meetings; and the audit circle was closed by re-auditing topics after an interval. RESULTS--Improvements in performance scores (objective measures) and in staff morale (subjective impression) were observed. CONCLUSIONS--This model of process audit could be applied, with amendments to take local practice into account, in any microbiology laboratory. PMID:7665701

  4. 30 CFR 6.20 - MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product... LABORATORIES AND NON-MSHA PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARDS § 6.20 MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. (a) MSHA will accept non-MSHA product safety standards, or groups of standards, as equivalent...

  5. 30 CFR 6.20 - MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product... LABORATORIES AND NON-MSHA PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARDS § 6.20 MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. (a) MSHA will accept non-MSHA product safety standards, or groups of standards, as equivalent...

  6. 30 CFR 6.20 - MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product... LABORATORIES AND NON-MSHA PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARDS § 6.20 MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. (a) MSHA will accept non-MSHA product safety standards, or groups of standards, as equivalent...

  7. 30 CFR 6.20 - MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product... LABORATORIES AND NON-MSHA PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARDS § 6.20 MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. (a) MSHA will accept non-MSHA product safety standards, or groups of standards, as equivalent...

  8. 30 CFR 6.20 - MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product... LABORATORIES AND NON-MSHA PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARDS § 6.20 MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. (a) MSHA will accept non-MSHA product safety standards, or groups of standards, as equivalent...

  9. 20 CFR 627.480 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Audits. 627.480 Section 627.480 Employees... UNDER TITLES I, II, AND III OF THE ACT Administrative Standards § 627.480 Audits. (a) Non-Federal Audits... Single Audit Act of 1984 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7) and 29 CFR part 96, the Department of Labor regulations which...

  10. Risk-based audit selection of dairy farms.

    PubMed

    van Asseldonk, M A P M; Velthuis, A G J

    2014-02-01

    Dairy farms are audited in the Netherlands on numerous process standards. Each farm is audited once every 2 years. Increasing demands for cost-effectiveness in farm audits can be met by introducing risk-based principles. This implies targeting subpopulations with a higher risk of poor process standards. To select farms for an audit that present higher risks, a statistical analysis was conducted to test the relationship between the outcome of farm audits and bulk milk laboratory results before the audit. The analysis comprised 28,358 farm audits and all conducted laboratory tests of bulk milk samples 12 mo before the audit. The overall outcome of each farm audit was classified as approved or rejected. Laboratory results included somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC), antimicrobial drug residues (ADR), level of butyric acid spores (BAB), freezing point depression (FPD), level of free fatty acids (FFA), and cleanliness of the milk (CLN). The bulk milk laboratory results were significantly related to audit outcomes. Rejected audits are likely to occur on dairy farms with higher mean levels of SCC, TBC, ADR, and BAB. Moreover, in a multivariable model, maxima for TBC, SCC, and FPD as well as standard deviations for TBC and FPD are risk factors for negative audit outcomes. The efficiency curve of a risk-based selection approach, on the basis of the derived regression results, dominated the current random selection approach. To capture 25, 50, or 75% of the population with poor process standards (i.e., audit outcome of rejected), respectively, only 8, 20, or 47% of the population had to be sampled based on a risk-based selection approach. Milk quality information can thus be used to preselect high-risk farms to be audited more frequently. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Desiderata for a Computer-Assisted Audit Tool for Clinical Data Source Verification Audits

    PubMed Central

    Duda, Stephany N.; Wehbe, Firas H.; Gadd, Cynthia S.

    2013-01-01

    Clinical data auditing often requires validating the contents of clinical research databases against source documents available in health care settings. Currently available data audit software, however, does not provide features necessary to compare the contents of such databases to source data in paper medical records. This work enumerates the primary weaknesses of using paper forms for clinical data audits and identifies the shortcomings of existing data audit software, as informed by the experiences of an audit team evaluating data quality for an international research consortium. The authors propose a set of attributes to guide the development of a computer-assisted clinical data audit tool to simplify and standardize the audit process. PMID:20841814

  12. The Essential Need for Research Misconduct Allegation Audits.

    PubMed

    Loikith, Lisa; Bauchwitz, Robert

    2016-08-01

    Nearly 90 % of allegations of biomedical research misconduct in the United States are dismissed by responsible institutions without any faculty assessment or auditable record. Recently, members of the U.S. Congress have complained that the penalties for those against whom findings of research misconduct are made are too light and that too few grant funds associated with research misconduct have been recovered for use by other researchers and taxpayers. Here we discuss the laws that empower federal agencies that can oversee investigations of biomedical research misconduct: the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), both located within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Research misconduct investigations pertaining to U.S. physical sciences funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) are overseen by the NSF's OIG. While OIGs may provide some improvement over the ORI in the handling of research misconduct, we have found that a much more serious flaw exists which undermines an ability to conduct performance audits of the effectiveness by which allegations of research misconduct are handled in the United States. Specifically, sufficient data do not need to be retained by U.S. research institutions funded by HHS or NSF to allow effective audit of why allegations of research misconduct are dismissed before being seen by faculty inquiry or investigative committees. U.S. federal Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS/Yellow Book), if applied to the research misconduct oversight process, would allow a determination of whether the handling of allegations of biomedical research misconduct actually functions adequately, and if not, how it might be improved. In particular, we propose that independent, external peer review under GAGAS audit standards should be instituted without delay in assessing the performance of ORI, or any other similarly tasked federal agency, in handling allegations of

  13. 75 FR 61413 - Notice of Availability of Biotechnology Quality Management System Audit Standard and Evaluation...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-05

    ...] Notice of Availability of Biotechnology Quality Management System Audit Standard and Evaluation of... Biotechnology Quality Management System Program (BQMS Program) to assist regulated entities in achieving and... customized biotechnology quality management system (BQMS) to improve their management of domestic research...

  14. Measuring Data Quality Through a Source Data Verification Audit in a Clinical Research Setting.

    PubMed

    Houston, Lauren; Probst, Yasmine; Humphries, Allison

    2015-01-01

    Health data has long been scrutinised in relation to data quality and integrity problems. Currently, no internationally accepted or "gold standard" method exists measuring data quality and error rates within datasets. We conducted a source data verification (SDV) audit on a prospective clinical trial dataset. An audit plan was applied to conduct 100% manual verification checks on a 10% random sample of participant files. A quality assurance rule was developed, whereby if >5% of data variables were incorrect a second 10% random sample would be extracted from the trial data set. Error was coded: correct, incorrect (valid or invalid), not recorded or not entered. Audit-1 had a total error of 33% and audit-2 36%. The physiological section was the only audit section to have <5% error. Data not recorded to case report forms had the greatest impact on error calculations. A significant association (p=0.00) was found between audit-1 and audit-2 and whether or not data was deemed correct or incorrect. Our study developed a straightforward method to perform a SDV audit. An audit rule was identified and error coding was implemented. Findings demonstrate that monitoring data quality by a SDV audit can identify data quality and integrity issues within clinical research settings allowing quality improvement to be made. The authors suggest this approach be implemented for future research.

  15. Results from an audit feedback strategy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in-hospital care: a joint analysis from the AUDIPOC and European COPD audit studies.

    PubMed

    Lopez-Campos, Jose Luis; Asensio-Cruz, M Isabel; Castro-Acosta, Ady; Calero, Carmen; Pozo-Rodriguez, Francisco

    2014-01-01

    Clinical audits have emerged as a potential tool to summarize the clinical performance of healthcare over a specified period of time. However, the effectiveness of audit and feedback has shown inconsistent results and the impact of audit and feedback on clinical performance has not been evaluated for COPD exacerbations. In the present study, we analyzed the results of two consecutive nationwide clinical audits performed in Spain to evaluate both the in-hospital clinical care provided and the feedback strategy. The present study is an analysis of two clinical audits performed in Spain that evaluated the clinical care provided to COPD patients who were admitted to the hospital for a COPD exacerbation. The first audit was performed from November-December 2008. The feedback strategy consisted of personalized reports for each participant center, the presentation and discussion of the results at regional, national and international meetings and the creation of health-care quality standards for COPD. The second audit was part of a European study during January and February 2011. The impact of the feedback strategy was evaluated in term of clinical care provided and in-hospital survival. A total of 94 centers participated in the two audits, recruiting 8,143 admissions (audit 1∶3,493 and audit 2∶4,650). The initially provided clinical care was reasonably acceptable even though there was considerable variability. Several diagnostic and therapeutic procedures improved in the second audit. Although the differences were significant, the degree of improvement was small to moderate. We found no impact on in-hospital mortality. The present study describes COPD hospital care in Spanish hospitals and evaluates the impact of peer-benchmarked, individually written and group-oral feedback strategy on the clinical outcomes for treating COPD exacerbations. It describes small to moderate improvements in the clinical care provided to COPD patients with no impact on in

  16. 20 CFR 627.481 - Audit resolution.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Audit resolution. 627.481 Section 627.481... PROGRAMS UNDER TITLES I, II, AND III OF THE ACT Administrative Standards § 627.481 Audit resolution. (a) Federal audit resolution. When the OIG issues an audit report to the Employment and Training...

  17. [Internal audit in medical laboratory: what means of control for an effective audit process?].

    PubMed

    Garcia-Hejl, Carine; Chianéa, Denis; Dedome, Emmanuel; Sanmartin, Nancy; Bugier, Sarah; Linard, Cyril; Foissaud, Vincent; Vest, Philippe

    2013-01-01

    To prepare the French Accreditation Committee (COFRAC) visit for initial certification of our medical laboratory, our direction evaluated its quality management system (QMS) and all its technical activities. This evaluation was performed owing an internal audit. This audit was outsourced. Auditors had an expertise in audit, a whole knowledge of biological standards and were independent. Several nonconformities were identified at that time, including a lack of control of several steps of the internal audit process. Hence, necessary corrective actions were taken in order to meet the requirements of standards, in particular, the formalization of all stages, from the audit program, to the implementation, review and follow-up of the corrective actions taken, and also the implementation of the resources needed to carry out audits in a pre-established timing. To ensure an optimum control of each step, the main concepts of risk management were applied: process approach, root cause analysis, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA). After a critical analysis of our practices, this methodology allowed us to define our "internal audit" process, then to formalize it and to follow it up, with a whole documentary system.

  18. 20 CFR 637.310 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Audits. 637.310 Section 637.310 Employees... TRAINING PARTNERSHIP ACT Additional Title V Administrative Standards and Procedures § 637.310 Audits. The Governor shall ensure that the State complies with the audit provisions at § 629.480 of this chapter. ...

  19. Feasibility of community neonatal death audits in rural Uttar Pradesh, India.

    PubMed

    Patel, Z; Kumar, V; Singh, P; Singh, V; Yadav, R; Baqui, A H; Santosham, M; Awasthi, S; Singh, J V; Darmstadt, G L

    2007-09-01

    Medical audit is a widely promoted strategy in hospitals, but experience within community settings is scant. Community neonatal death audit is a form of audit, which involves a systematic analysis of the quality of care provided in the home, danger sign recognition and care seeking decision making for neonatal illness. This research was conducted in Uttar Pradesh, India, to investigate the feasibility and cultural acceptability of community neonatal death audits. During November-December 2004, we conducted three in-depth interviews with family members of deceased neonates, and six focus group discussions with family and community members. Three approaches were evaluated: in-depth interview with the family before engaging them in an audit with the community; preliminary meeting to build rapport with the family and community before conducting an audit; and audit with the family and community in a single focus group. Approaches were interactive processes, involving the community, to identify avoidable factors in a particular death and discuss solutions. Carried out in a culturally sensitive and non-punitive manner, community neonatal death audit was found to be acceptable and feasible. All approaches provoked formal investigation by community members, and stimulated sharing of views, leading to the self-discovery that community perception was a cumulatively amplified effect of individual perceptions. Presence of an educated/experienced community member or health worker served as a catalyst. No one optimal approach was identified. Community neonatal audit is an acceptable approach that shows promise as an effective intervention for improving neonatal health outcomes.

  20. Remote auditing of radiotherapy facilities using optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lye, Jessica, E-mail: jessica.lye@arpansa.gov.au; Dunn, Leon; Kenny, John

    Purpose: On 1 July 2012, the Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service (ACDS) released its Optically Stimulated Luminescent Dosimeter (OSLD) Level I audit, replacing the previous TLD based audit. The aim of this work is to present the results from this new service and the complete uncertainty analysis on which the audit tolerances are based. Methods: The audit release was preceded by a rigorous evaluation of the InLight® nanoDot OSLD system from Landauer (Landauer, Inc., Glenwood, IL). Energy dependence, signal fading from multiple irradiations, batch variation, reader variation, and dose response factors were identified and quantified for each individual OSLD. The detectorsmore » are mailed to the facility in small PMMA blocks, based on the design of the existing Radiological Physics Centre audit. Modeling and measurement were used to determine a factor that could convert the dose measured in the PMMA block, to dose in water for the facility's reference conditions. This factor is dependent on the beam spectrum. The TPR{sub 20,10} was used as the beam quality index to determine the specific block factor for a beam being audited. The audit tolerance was defined using a rigorous uncertainty calculation. The audit outcome is then determined using a scientifically based two tiered action level approach. Audit outcomes within two standard deviations were defined as Pass (Optimal Level), within three standard deviations as Pass (Action Level), and outside of three standard deviations the outcome is Fail (Out of Tolerance). Results: To-date the ACDS has audited 108 photon beams with TLD and 162 photon beams with OSLD. The TLD audit results had an average deviation from ACDS of 0.0% and a standard deviation of 1.8%. The OSLD audit results had an average deviation of −0.2% and a standard deviation of 1.4%. The relative combined standard uncertainty was calculated to be 1.3% (1σ). Pass (Optimal Level) was reduced to ≤2.6% (2σ), and Fail (Out of Tolerance) was reduced to

  1. Screening for At-Risk Drinking in a Population Reporting Symptoms of Depression: A Validation of the AUDIT, AUDIT-C, and AUDIT-3.

    PubMed

    Levola, Jonna; Aalto, Mauri

    2015-07-01

    Excessive alcohol use is common in patients presenting with symptoms of depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and its most commonly used abbreviated versions perform in detecting at-risk drinking among subjects reporting symptoms of depression. A subsample (n = 390; 166 men, 224 women) of a general population survey, the National FINRISK 2007 Study, was used. Symptoms of depression were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form and alcohol consumption with the Timeline Follow-back (TLFB). At-risk drinking was defined as ≥280 g weekly or ≥60 g on at least 1 occasion in the previous 28 days for men, 140 and 40 g, respectively, for women. The AUDIT, AUDIT-C, and AUDIT-3 were tested against the defined gold standard, that is, alcohol use calculated from the TLFB. An optimal cutoff was designated as having a sensitivity and specificity of over 0.75, with emphasis on specificity. The AUDIT and its abbreviations were compared with carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase. At-risk drinking was common. The AUDIT and AUDIT-C performed quite consistently. Optimal cutoffs for men were ≥9 for the AUDIT and ≥6 for AUDIT-C. The optimal cut-offs for women with mild symptoms of depression were ≥5 for the AUDIT and ≥4 for AUDIT-C. Optimal cutoffs could not be determined for women with moderate symptoms of depression (specificity <0.75). A nearly optimal cutoff for women was ≥5 for the AUDIT. The AUDIT-3 failed to perform in women, but in men, a good level of sensitivity and specificity was reached at a cutoff of ≥2. With standard threshold values, the biochemical markers demonstrated very low sensitivity (9 to 28%), but excellent specificity (83 to 98%). Screening for at-risk drinking among patients presenting with symptoms of depression using the full AUDIT is recommended, although the AUDIT-C performed almost equally well. Cut-offs should be

  2. Accuracy of a smartphone to test laryngoscope's light and an audit to our laryngoscopes using an ISO standard.

    PubMed

    Machado, Diogo Alcino de Abreu Ribeiro Carvalho; Esteves, Dina da Assunção Azevedo; Branca, Pedro Manuel Araújo de Sousa

    Laryngoscope is a key tool in anesthetic practice. Direct laryngoscopy is a crucial moment and inadequate laryngoscope's light can lead to catastrophic consequences. From our experience laryngoscope's light is assessed in a subjective manner and we believe a more precise evaluation should be used. Our objective is to compare the accuracy of a smartphone compared to a lux meter. Secondly we audited our Operating Room laryngoscopes. We designed a pragmatic study, using as primary outcome the accuracy of a smartphone compared to the lux meter. Further we audited with both the lux meter and the smartphone all laryngoscopes and blades ready to use in our Operating Rooms, using the International Standard form the International Organization for Standardization. For primary outcome we found no significant difference between devices. Our audit showed that only 2 in 48 laryngoscopes complied with the ISO norm. When comparing the measurements between the lux meter and the smartphone we found no significant difference. Ideally every laryngoscope should perform as required. We believe all laryngoscopes should have a practical but reliable and objective test prior to its utilization. Our results suggest the smartphone was accurate enough to be used as a lux meter to test laryngoscope's light. Audit results showing only 4% comply with the ISO standard are consistent with other studies. The tested smartphone has enough accuracy to perform light measurement in laryngoscopes. We believe this is a step further to perform an objective routine check to laryngoscope's light. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.

  3. Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the AUDIT and CAGE Questionnaires in Tanzanian Swahili for a Traumatic Brain Injury Population.

    PubMed

    Vissoci, Joao Ricardo Nickenig; Hertz, Julian; El-Gabri, Deena; Andrade Do Nascimento, José Roberto; Pestillo De Oliveira, Leonardo; Mmbaga, Blandina Theophil; Mvungi, Mark; Staton, Catherine A

    2018-01-01

    To develop Swahili versions of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and CAGE questionnaires and evaluate their psychometric properties in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) population in Tanzania. Swahili versions of the AUDIT and CAGE were developed through translation and back-translation by a panel of native speakers of both English and Swahili. The translated instruments were administered to a sample of Tanzanian adults from a TBI registry. The validity and reliability were analyzed using standard statistical methods. The translated versions of both the AUDIT and CAGE questionnaires were found to have excellent language clarity and domain coherence. Reliability was acceptable (>0.85) for all tested versions. Confirmatory factor analysis of one, two and three factor solution for the AUDIT and one factor solution for the CAGE showed adequate results. AUDIT and CAGE scores were strongly correlated to each other (R > 0.80), and AUDIT scores were significantly lower in non-drinkers compared to drinkers. This article presents the first Swahili and Tanzanian adaptations of the AUDIT and CAGE instruments as well as the first validation of these questionnaires with TBI patients. Both instruments were found to have acceptable psychometric properties, resulting in two new useful tools for medical and social research in this setting. © The Author 2017. Medical Council on Alcohol and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

  4. 49 CFR 237.151 - Audits; general.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Audits; general. 237.151 Section 237.151..., DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BRIDGE SAFETY STANDARDS Documentation, Records, and Audits of Bridge Management Programs § 237.151 Audits; general. Each program adopted to comply with this part shall include provisions...

  5. DOD Financial Management: Greater Visibility Needed to Better Assess Audit Readiness for Property, Plant, and Equipment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-05-01

    with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and compliance with... Accountability Office Highlights of GAO-16-383, a report to congressional committees May 2016 DOD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Greater Visibility... Accounting Standards Advisory Board FIAR Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness IUS internal-use software NDAA National Defense Authorization Act

  6. AUDIT OF THE AUDITS.

    PubMed

    Alam, Malik Mahmood

    2015-01-01

    Audits play an important role in improving the services to patient care. Our department was involved in carrying out Audits by the trainees on regular basis as suggested by the Royal college and each House officer or the Registrar rotating through was doing an Audit in his/her tenure. Ninteen Audits were done in 3 years in the Pediatric department. We used the criteria suggested for evaluating the quality of Audits and put into the category of full Audits, Partial Audits, Potential Audits and planning Audits. Six of our Audits were full Audits, eleven were partial Audits, two were Potential Audits and none were Planning Audits. We think that as a general trend we had similar shortcomings in quality of our Audits which need to be improved by involving seniors specially in implementing the changes suggested in the Audits otherwise it will not fulfill the Aims and objectives.

  7. 30 CFR 7.10 - MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product... General § 7.10 MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. (a) MSHA will accept non...) [Reserved] (d) After MSHA has determined that non-MSHA product safety standards are equivalent and has...

  8. 30 CFR 7.10 - MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product... General § 7.10 MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. (a) MSHA will accept non...) [Reserved] (d) After MSHA has determined that non-MSHA product safety standards are equivalent and has...

  9. 30 CFR 7.10 - MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product... General § 7.10 MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. (a) MSHA will accept non...) [Reserved] (d) After MSHA has determined that non-MSHA product safety standards are equivalent and has...

  10. 30 CFR 7.10 - MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product... General § 7.10 MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. (a) MSHA will accept non...) [Reserved] (d) After MSHA has determined that non-MSHA product safety standards are equivalent and has...

  11. 30 CFR 7.10 - MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product... General § 7.10 MSHA acceptance of equivalent non-MSHA product safety standards. (a) MSHA will accept non...) [Reserved] (d) After MSHA has determined that non-MSHA product safety standards are equivalent and has...

  12. 28 CFR 115.405 - Audit appeals.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Audit appeals. 115.405 Section 115.405 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.405 Audit appeals. (a) An agency may lodge an appeal with the...

  13. 28 CFR 115.405 - Audit appeals.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Audit appeals. 115.405 Section 115.405 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.405 Audit appeals. (a) An agency may lodge an appeal with the...

  14. 28 CFR 115.405 - Audit appeals.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Audit appeals. 115.405 Section 115.405 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.405 Audit appeals. (a) An agency may lodge an appeal with the...

  15. Model depicting aspects of audit and feedback that impact physicians' acceptance of clinical performance feedback.

    PubMed

    Payne, Velma L; Hysong, Sylvia J

    2016-07-13

    Audit and feedback (A&F) is a strategy that has been used in various disciplines for performance and quality improvement. There is limited research regarding medical professionals' acceptance of clinical-performance feedback and whether feedback impacts clinical practice. The objectives of our research were to (1) investigate aspects of A&F that impact physicians' acceptance of performance feedback; (2) determine actions physicians take when receiving feedback; and (3) determine if feedback impacts physicians' patient-management behavior. In this qualitative study, we employed grounded theory methods to perform a secondary analysis of semi-structured interviews with 12 VA primary care physicians. We analyzed a subset of interview questions from the primary study, which aimed to determine how providers of high, low and moderately performing VA medical centers use performance feedback to maintain and improve quality of care, and determine perceived utility of performance feedback. Based on the themes emergent from our analysis and their observed relationships, we developed a model depicting aspects of the A&F process that impact feedback acceptance and physicians' patient-management behavior. The model is comprised of three core components - Reaction, Action and Impact - and depicts elements associated with feedback recipients' reaction to feedback, action taken when feedback is received, and physicians modifying their patient-management behavior. Feedback characteristics, the environment, external locus-of-control components, core values, emotion and the assessment process induce or deter reaction, action and impact. Feedback characteristics (content and timeliness), and the procedural justice of the assessment process (unjust penalties) impact feedback acceptance. External locus-of-control elements (financial incentives, competition), the environment (patient volume, time constraints) and emotion impact patient-management behavior. Receiving feedback generated

  16. Report on Review of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Single Audit for the Audit Period October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2007

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-05-22

    State of Michigan, single audit and supporting workpapers for the audit period October I, 2005 through September 30, 2007 (biennial audit period), to...determine whether the audit was conducted in accordance with government auditing standards and the auditing and reporting requirements of Office of

  17. 25 CFR 542.32 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations? 542.32 Section 542.32 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.32 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

  18. 25 CFR 542.22 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations? 542.22 Section 542.22 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.22 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

  19. 25 CFR 542.22 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations? 542.22 Section 542.22 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.22 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

  20. 25 CFR 542.22 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations? 542.22 Section 542.22 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.22 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

  1. 25 CFR 542.22 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations? 542.22 Section 542.22 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.22 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

  2. 25 CFR 542.32 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations? 542.32 Section 542.32 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.32 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

  3. 25 CFR 542.32 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations? 542.32 Section 542.32 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.32 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

  4. 25 CFR 542.32 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations? 542.32 Section 542.32 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.32 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

  5. Auditing radiation sterilization facilities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beck, Jeffrey A.

    The diversity of radiation sterilization systems available today places renewed emphasis on the need for thorough Quality Assurance audits of these facilities. Evaluating compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices is an obvious requirement, but an effective audit must also evaluate installation and performance qualification programs (validation_, and process control and monitoring procedures in detail. The present paper describes general standards that radiation sterilization operations should meet in each of these key areas, and provides basic guidance for conducting QA audits of these facilities.

  6. Auditing the auditors.

    PubMed

    Pallarito, K

    1998-09-21

    An independent auditor's opinion is supposed to be the gold standard in healthcare accounting. Such audits provide reasonable assurance that financial statements are accurate, which is particularly important in not-for-profit healthcare because most organizations don't have shareholder oversight. But the recent firing of a Big Five accounting firm by a major healthcare system in bankruptcy reorganization raises questions about the credibility of external audits.

  7. 28 CFR 115.403 - Audit contents and findings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Audit contents and findings. 115.403 Section 115.403 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.403 Audit contents and findings. (a) Each audit...

  8. 28 CFR 115.403 - Audit contents and findings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Audit contents and findings. 115.403 Section 115.403 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.403 Audit contents and findings. (a) Each audit...

  9. 28 CFR 115.403 - Audit contents and findings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Audit contents and findings. 115.403 Section 115.403 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.403 Audit contents and findings. (a) Each audit...

  10. NASA Audit Follow-up Handbook

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1990-01-01

    This NASA Audit Follow-up Handbook is issued pursuant to the requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-50, Audit Follow-up, dated September 29, 1982. It sets forth policy, uniform performance standards, and procedural guidance to NASA personnel for use when considering reports issued by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), other executive branch audit organizations, the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), and the General Accounting Office (GAO). It is intended to: specify principal roles; strengthen the procedures for management decisions (resolution) on audit findings and corrective action on audit report recommendations; emphasize the importance of monitoring agreed upon corrective actions to assure actual accomplishment; and foster the use of audit reports as effective tools of management. A flow chart depicting the NASA audit and management decision process is in Appendix A. This handbook is a controlled handbook issued in loose-leaf form and will be revised by page changes. Additional copies for internal use may be obtained through normal distribution channels.

  11. A Note on the Determination of "Acceptable" Performance in Thorndike's Standard of Fair Selection.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brown, Charles

    1980-01-01

    The determination of acceptable performance in Thorndike's constant ratio standard of fair selection is considered. It is shown that suitable choice of acceptable performance can make any minority-majority selection disparity consistent with Thorndike's standard. A rule for determining acceptable performance which avoids the Petersen-Novick…

  12. Discharge communication from inpatient care: an audit of written medical discharge summary procedure against the new National Health Service Standard for clinical handover.

    PubMed

    Reid, Daniel Brooks; Parsons, Shaun R; Gill, Stephen D; Hughes, Andrew J

    2015-04-01

    To audit written medical discharge summary procedure and practice against Standard Six (clinical handover) of the Australian National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards at a major regional Victorian health service. Department heads were invited to complete a questionnaire about departmental discharge summary practices. Twenty-seven (82%) department heads completed the questionnaire. Seven (26%) departments had a documented discharge summary procedure. Fourteen (52%) departments monitored discharge summary completion and 13 (48%) departments monitored the timeliness of completion. Seven (26%) departments informed the patient of the content of the discharge summary and six (22%) departments provided the patient with a copy. Seven (26%) departments provided training for staff members on how to complete discharge summaries. Completing discharge summaries was usually delegated to the medical intern. The introduction of the National Service Standards prompted an organisation-wide audit of discharge summary practices against the external criterion. There was substantial variation in the organisation's practices. The Standards and the current audit results highlight an opportunity for the organisation to enhance and standardise discharge summary practices and improve communication with general practice.

  13. 24 CFR 902.64 - PHAS scoring and audit reviews.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... necessary as a result of the independent public accountant (IPA) audit. (2) Each PHA (or RMC) shall post a... review. HUD may undertake a quality control review of the audit work papers or as part of the Department... Attestation Engagements issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or Generally Accepted...

  14. 24 CFR 902.64 - PHAS scoring and audit reviews.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... necessary as a result of the independent public accountant (IPA) audit. (2) Each PHA (or RMC) shall post a... review. HUD may undertake a quality control review of the audit work papers or as part of the Department... Attestation Engagements issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or Generally Accepted...

  15. 24 CFR 902.64 - PHAS scoring and audit reviews.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... necessary as a result of the independent public accountant (IPA) audit. (2) Each PHA (or RMC) shall post a... review. HUD may undertake a quality control review of the audit work papers or as part of the Department... Attestation Engagements issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or Generally Accepted...

  16. 24 CFR 902.64 - PHAS scoring and audit reviews.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... necessary as a result of the independent public accountant (IPA) audit. (2) Each PHA (or RMC) shall post a... review. HUD may undertake a quality control review of the audit work papers or as part of the Department... Attestation Engagements issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or Generally Accepted...

  17. Clinical Implications of TiGRT Algorithm for External Audit in Radiation Oncology.

    PubMed

    Shahbazi-Gahrouei, Daryoush; Saeb, Mohsen; Monadi, Shahram; Jabbari, Iraj

    2017-01-01

    Performing audits play an important role in quality assurance program in radiation oncology. Among different algorithms, TiGRT is one of the common application software for dose calculation. This study aimed to clinical implications of TiGRT algorithm to measure dose and compared to calculated dose delivered to the patients for a variety of cases, with and without the presence of inhomogeneities and beam modifiers. Nonhomogeneous phantom as quality dose verification phantom, Farmer ionization chambers, and PC-electrometer (Sun Nuclear, USA) as a reference class electrometer was employed throughout the audit in linear accelerators 6 and 18 MV energies (Siemens ONCOR Impression Plus, Germany). Seven test cases were performed using semi CIRS phantom. In homogeneous regions and simple plans for both energies, there was a good agreement between measured and treatment planning system calculated dose. Their relative error was found to be between 0.8% and 3% which is acceptable for audit, but in nonhomogeneous organs, such as lung, a few errors were observed. In complex treatment plans, when wedge or shield in the way of energy is used, the error was in the accepted criteria. In complex beam plans, the difference between measured and calculated dose was found to be 2%-3%. All differences were obtained between 0.4% and 1%. A good consistency was observed for the same type of energy in the homogeneous and nonhomogeneous phantom for the three-dimensional conformal field with a wedge, shield, asymmetric using the TiGRT treatment planning software in studied center. The results revealed that the national status of TPS calculations and dose delivery for 3D conformal radiotherapy was globally within acceptable standards with no major causes for concern.

  18. Interobserver agreement between primary graders and an expert grader in the Bristol and Weston diabetic retinopathy screening programme: a quality assurance audit.

    PubMed

    Patra, S; Gomm, E M W; Macipe, M; Bailey, C

    2009-08-01

    To assess the quality and accuracy of primary grading in the Bristol and Weston diabetic retinopathy screening programme and to set standards for future interobserver agreement reports. A prospective audit of 213 image sets from six fully trained primary graders in the Bristol and Weston diabetic retinopathy screening programme was carried out over a 4-week period. All the images graded by the primary graders were regraded by an expert grader blinded to the primary grading results and the identity of the primary grader. The interobserver agreement between primary graders and the blinded expert grader and the corresponding Kappa coefficient was determined for overall grading, referable, non-referable and ungradable disease. The audit standard was set at 80% for interobserver agreement with a Kappa coefficient of 0.7. The interobserver agreement bettered the audit standard of 80% in all the categories. The Kappa coefficient was substantial (0.7) for the overall grading results and ranged from moderate to substantial (0.59-0.65) for referable, non-referable and ungradable disease categories. The main recommendation of the audit was to provide refresher training for the primary graders with focus on ungradable disease. The audit demonstrated an acceptable level of quality and accuracy of primary grading in the Bristol and Weston diabetic retinopathy screening programme and provided a standard against which future interobserver agreement can be measured for quality assurance within a screening programme. Diabet. Med. 26, 820-823 (2009).

  19. Improving clinical practice in stroke through audit: results of three rounds of National Stroke Audit.

    PubMed

    Irwin, P; Hoffman, A; Lowe, D; Pearson, M; Rudd, A G

    2005-08-01

    The results of three rounds of National Stroke Audit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared. Audit of the organization of stroke services and retrospective case-note audit of up to 40 consecutive cases admitted per hospital over a 3-month period was conducted in each of 1998, 1999 and 2001/02. The changes in the organizational, case-mix and process results of the hospitals that had participated in all three rounds were analysed. 60% of all eligible trusts from England, Wales and Northern Ireland took part in all three audits in 1998, 1999 and 2001/02. Total numbers of cases were 4996, 4841 and 5152, respectively. Case-mix variables were similar over the three rounds. Mortality at 7 and 30 days fell by 3% and 5%, respectively. The proportion of hospitals with a stroke unit rose from 48% to 77%. The proportion of patients spending most of their stay in a stroke unit rose from 17% in 1998 to 26% in 1999 and 29% in 2001/02. Improvements achieved in process standards of care between 1998 and 1999 (median change was a gain of 9%) failed to improve further by 2001/02 (median change was 0%). In all three rounds process standards of care tended to be better in stroke units. Three rounds of national audit of stroke care have shown standards of care on stroke units were notably higher than on general wards. Slowing in the rise of the proportion managed on stroke units mirrors the slow down in improvement to overall national standards of care. To further improve outcomes and national standards of stroke care a much higher proportion of patients needs to be managed in stroke units.

  20. 20 CFR 637.310 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Audits. 637.310 Section 637.310 Employees' Benefits EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROGRAMS UNDER TITLE V OF THE JOB TRAINING PARTNERSHIP ACT Additional Title V Administrative Standards and Procedures § 637.310 Audits. The...

  1. A risk-based approach to scheduling audits.

    PubMed

    Rönninger, Stephan; Holmes, Malcolm

    2009-01-01

    The manufacture and supply of pharmaceutical products can be a very complex operation. Companies may purchase a wide variety of materials, from active pharmaceutical ingredients to packaging materials, from "in company" suppliers or from third parties. They may also purchase or contract a number of services such as analysis, data management, audit, among others. It is very important that these materials and services are of the requisite quality in order that patient safety and company reputation are adequately protected. Such quality requirements are ongoing throughout the product life cycle. In recent years, assurance of quality has been derived via audit of the supplier or service provider and by using periodic audits, for example, annually or at least once every 5 years. In the past, companies may have used an audit only for what they considered to be "key" materials or services and used testing on receipt, for example, as their quality assurance measure for "less important" supplies. Such approaches changed as a result of pressure from both internal sources and regulators to the time-driven audit for all suppliers and service providers. Companies recognised that eventually they would be responsible for the quality of the supplied product or service and audit, although providing only a "snapshot in time" seemed a convenient way of demonstrating that they were meeting their obligations. Problems, however, still occur with the supplied product or service and will usually be more frequent from certain suppliers. Additionally, some third-party suppliers will no longer accept routine audits from individual companies, as the overall audit load can exceed one external audit per working day. Consequently a different model is needed for assessing supplier quality. This paper presents a risk-based approach to creating an audit plan and for scheduling the frequency and depth of such audits. The approach is based on the principles and process of the Quality Risk Management

  2. Audits of radiopharmaceutical formulations

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Castronovo, F.P. Jr.

    A procedure for auditing radiopharmaceutical formulations is described. To meet FDA guidelines regarding the quality of radiopharmaceuticals, institutional radioactive drug research committees perform audits when such drugs are formulated away from an institutional pharmacy. All principal investigators who formulate drugs outside institutional pharmacies must pass these audits before they can obtain a radiopharmaceutical investigation permit. The audit team meets with the individual who performs the formulation at the site of drug preparation to verify that drug formulations meet identity, strength, quality, and purity standards; are uniform and reproducible; and are sterile and pyrogen free. This team must contain an expertmore » knowledgeable in the preparation of radioactive drugs; a radiopharmacist is the most qualified person for this role. Problems that have been identified by audits include lack of sterility and apyrogenicity testing, formulations that are open to the laboratory environment, failure to use pharmaceutical-grade chemicals, inadequate quality control methods or records, inadequate training of the person preparing the drug, and improper unit dose preparation. Investigational radiopharmaceutical formulations, including nonradiolabeled drugs, must be audited before they are administered to humans. A properly trained pharmacist should be a member of the audit team.« less

  3. An audit of implant practice websites: content and regulatory compliance.

    PubMed

    Raimundo, H; Robinson, P K

    2014-12-01

    To audit the content of dental practice websites offering dental implant services against a framework based on the GDC 2012 Guidelines for Ethical Advertising and other relevant advertising standards. An audit framework was constructed and applied to the top fifty websites resulting from a Google UK search using the search term 'dental implant specialist'. Compliance with many elements of the GDC Guidance remains poor. Sixty-eight percent of websites claimed that the practitioner providing the service was a GDC registered specialist, though examples were found where this claim was unfounded. Fourteen percent of practice websites claimed that the service was being carried out by an 'implant specialist' and 16% claimed the practitioner was an 'implantologist'; the majority of sites using these terms (10%) involved practitioners that had no specialist status. The display of potentially misleading memberships and fellowships of a range of dental associations, academies, societies and foundations remains common (52%), as does the adoption of the title 'Dr' (60%). Comparison with earlier studies indicates that compliance with recent GDC standards is generally improving, though whether the pace of improvement is seen as acceptable or not is something that policymakers and regulatory authorities may need to consider further.

  4. Comparison between a multicentre, collaborative, closed-loop audit assessing management of supracondylar fractures and the British Orthopaedic Association Standard for Trauma 11 (BOAST 11) guidelines.

    PubMed

    Goodall, R; Claireaux, H; Hill, J; Wilson, E; Monsell, F; Boast Collaborative; Tarassoli, P

    2018-03-01

    Aims Supracondylar fractures are the most frequently occurring paediatric fractures about the elbow and may be associated with a neurovascular injury. The British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma 11 (BOAST 11) guidelines describe best practice for supracondylar fracture management. This study aimed to assess whether emergency departments in the United Kingdom adhere to BOAST 11 standard 1: a documented assessment, performed on presentation, must include the status of the radial pulse, digital capillary refill time, and the individual function of the radial, median (including the anterior interosseous), and ulnar nerves. Materials and Methods Stage 1: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective audit of adherence to BOAST 11 standard 1. Data were collected from eight hospitals in the United Kingdom. A total of 433 children with Gartland type 2 or 3 supracondylar fractures were eligible for inclusion. A centrally created data collection sheet was used to guide objective analysis of whether BOAST 11 standard 1 was adhered to. Stage 2: We created a quality improvement proforma for use in emergency departments. This was piloted in one of the hospitals used in the primary audit and was re-audited using equivalent methodology. In all, 102 patients presenting between January 2016 and July 2017 were eligible for inclusion in the re-audit. Results Stage 1: Of 433 patient notes audited, adherence to BOAST 11 standard 1 was between 201 (46%) and 232 (54%) for the motor and sensory function of the individual nerves specified, 318 (73%) for radial pulse, and 247 (57%) for digital capillary refill time. Stage 2: Of 102 patient notes audited, adherence to BOAST 11 standard 1 improved to between 72 (71%) and 80 (78%) for motor and sensory function of the nerves, to 84 (82%) for radial pulse, and to 82 (80%) for digital capillary refill time. Of the 102 case notes reviewed in stage 2, only 44 (43%) used the quality improvement proforma; when the proforma was used

  5. 28 CFR 115.404 - Audit corrective action plan.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Audit corrective action plan. 115.404 Section 115.404 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.404 Audit corrective action plan. (a) A finding of...

  6. 28 CFR 115.404 - Audit corrective action plan.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Audit corrective action plan. 115.404 Section 115.404 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.404 Audit corrective action plan. (a) A finding of...

  7. 28 CFR 115.404 - Audit corrective action plan.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Audit corrective action plan. 115.404 Section 115.404 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.404 Audit corrective action plan. (a) A finding of...

  8. Development and Operation of a Voluntary Audit Program.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Murphy, Jerome R.

    This report describes a voluntary audit program implemented by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The comprehensive audit program was developed to assure that all corporate programs adhere to the ETS Standards for Quality and Fairness. The standards address issues which relate to all ETS activities such as accountability, confidentiality of…

  9. Audit Report on "The Department's Management of Nuclear Materials Provided to Domestic Licensees"

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    None

    The objective if to determine whether the Department of Energy (Department) was adequately managing its nuclear materials provided to domestic licensees. The audit was performed from February 2007 to September 2008 at Department Headquarters in Washington, DC, and Germantown, MD; the Oak Ridge Office and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN. In addition, we visited or obtained data from 40 different non-Departmental facilities in various states. To accomplish the audit objective, we: (1) Reviewed Departmental and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements for the control and accountability of nuclear materials; (2) Analyzed a Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguardsmore » System (NMMSS) report with ending inventory balances for Department-owned nuclear materials dated September 30, 2007, to determine the amount and types of nuclear materials located at non-Department domestic facilities; (3) Held discussions with Department and NRC personnel that used NMMSS information to determine their roles and responsibilities related to the control and accountability over nuclear materials; (4) Selected a judgmental sample of 40 non-Department domestic facilities; (5) Met with licensee officials and sent confirmations to determine whether their actual inventories of Department-owned nuclear materials were consistent with inventories reported in the NMMSS; and, (6) Analyzed historical information related to the 2004 NMMSS inventory rebaselining initiative to determine the quantity of Department-owned nuclear materials that were written off from the domestic licensees inventory balances. This performance audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted Government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objective. We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for

  10. Clinical Implications of TiGRT Algorithm for External Audit in Radiation Oncology

    PubMed Central

    Shahbazi-Gahrouei, Daryoush; Saeb, Mohsen; Monadi, Shahram; Jabbari, Iraj

    2017-01-01

    Background: Performing audits play an important role in quality assurance program in radiation oncology. Among different algorithms, TiGRT is one of the common application software for dose calculation. This study aimed to clinical implications of TiGRT algorithm to measure dose and compared to calculated dose delivered to the patients for a variety of cases, with and without the presence of inhomogeneities and beam modifiers. Materials and Methods: Nonhomogeneous phantom as quality dose verification phantom, Farmer ionization chambers, and PC-electrometer (Sun Nuclear, USA) as a reference class electrometer was employed throughout the audit in linear accelerators 6 and 18 MV energies (Siemens ONCOR Impression Plus, Germany). Seven test cases were performed using semi CIRS phantom. Results: In homogeneous regions and simple plans for both energies, there was a good agreement between measured and treatment planning system calculated dose. Their relative error was found to be between 0.8% and 3% which is acceptable for audit, but in nonhomogeneous organs, such as lung, a few errors were observed. In complex treatment plans, when wedge or shield in the way of energy is used, the error was in the accepted criteria. In complex beam plans, the difference between measured and calculated dose was found to be 2%–3%. All differences were obtained between 0.4% and 1%. Conclusions: A good consistency was observed for the same type of energy in the homogeneous and nonhomogeneous phantom for the three-dimensional conformal field with a wedge, shield, asymmetric using the TiGRT treatment planning software in studied center. The results revealed that the national status of TPS calculations and dose delivery for 3D conformal radiotherapy was globally within acceptable standards with no major causes for concern. PMID:28989910

  11. Physician Self-Audit: A Scoping Review

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gagliardi, Anna R.; Brouwers, Melissa C.; Finelli, Antonio; Campbell, Craig E.; Marlow, Bernard A.; Silver, Ivan L.

    2011-01-01

    Introduction: Self-audit involves self-collection of personal performance data, reflection on gaps between performance and standards, and development and implementation of learning or quality improvement plans by individual care providers. It appears to stimulate learning and quality improvement, but few physicians engage in self-audit. The…

  12. 34 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of... - Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities, and Functions (GAO)

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... the individual auditors shall maintain an independent attitude. (b) This standard places upon the auditor and the audit organization the responsibility for maintaining sufficient independence so that their opinions, conclusions, judgments, and recommendations will be impartial. If the auditor is not...

  13. Principles of blood transfusion service audit.

    PubMed

    Dosunmu, A O; Dada, M O

    2005-12-01

    Blood transfusion is still an important procedure in modern medical practice despite efforts to avoid it. This is due to it's association with infections especially HIV. It is therefore necessary to have proper quality control of its production, storage and usage [1]. A way of controlling usage is to do regular clinical audit. To effect this, there has to be an agreed standard for appropriate use of blood. The aim of this paper is to briefly highlight the importance of audit, audit procedures and tools i.e. required records, development of audit criteria and audit parameters. Every hospital/blood transfusion center is expected to develop a system of audit that is appropriate to its needs. The suggestions are mainly based on the experience at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service.

  14. The Double Standard at Sexual Debut: Gender, Sexual Behavior and Adolescent Peer Acceptance.

    PubMed

    Kreager, Derek A; Staff, Jeremy; Gauthier, Robin; Lefkowitz, Eva S; Feinberg, Mark E

    2016-10-01

    A sexual double standard in adolescence has important implications for sexual development and gender inequality. The present study uses longitudinal social network data ( N = 914; 11-16 years of age) to test if gender moderates associations between adolescents' sexual behaviors and peer acceptance. Consistent with a traditional sexual double standard, female adolescents who reported having sex had significant decreases in peer acceptance over time, whereas male adolescents reporting the same behavior had significant increases in peer acceptance. This pattern was observed net of respondents' own perceived friendships, further suggesting that the social responses to sex vary by gender of the sexual actor. However, findings for "making out" showed a reverse double standard, such that female adolescents reporting this behavior had increases in peer acceptance and male adolescents reporting the same behavior had decreases in peer acceptance over time. Results thus suggest that peers enforce traditional sexual scripts for both "heavy" and "light" sexual behaviors during adolescence. These findings have important implications for sexual health education, encouraging educators to develop curricula that emphasize the gendered social construction of sexuality and to combat inequitable and stigmatizing peer responses to real or perceived deviations from traditional sexual scripts.

  15. 49 CFR 195.228 - Welds and welding inspection: Standards of acceptability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Welds and welding inspection: Standards of... SAFETY TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS BY PIPELINE Construction § 195.228 Welds and welding inspection: Standards of acceptability. (a) Each weld and welding must be inspected to insure compliance with...

  16. 49 CFR 195.228 - Welds and welding inspection: Standards of acceptability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Welds and welding inspection: Standards of... SAFETY TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS BY PIPELINE Construction § 195.228 Welds and welding inspection: Standards of acceptability. (a) Each weld and welding must be inspected to insure compliance with...

  17. 49 CFR 195.228 - Welds and welding inspection: Standards of acceptability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Welds and welding inspection: Standards of... SAFETY TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS BY PIPELINE Construction § 195.228 Welds and welding inspection: Standards of acceptability. (a) Each weld and welding must be inspected to insure compliance with...

  18. 49 CFR 195.228 - Welds and welding inspection: Standards of acceptability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Welds and welding inspection: Standards of... SAFETY TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS BY PIPELINE Construction § 195.228 Welds and welding inspection: Standards of acceptability. (a) Each weld and welding must be inspected to insure compliance with...

  19. 49 CFR 195.228 - Welds and welding inspection: Standards of acceptability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Welds and welding inspection: Standards of... SAFETY TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS BY PIPELINE Construction § 195.228 Welds and welding inspection: Standards of acceptability. (a) Each weld and welding must be inspected to insure compliance with...

  20. FY 2012 Audit Plan

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-10-01

    September 30, 2012 and 2011 Objective: Determine whether KPMG complied, in all material respects, with U.S. generally accepted government auditing...reported the same 13 material internal control weaknesses as the previous year. These pervasive and longstanding financial management issues...Defense Contract Management Agency’s Investigation and Control of Nonconforming Materials (D2011-D000CD-0264.000) Objective: Examine the Defense

  1. Improving Standards of Care in Obstructed Labour: A Criteria-Based Audit at a Referral Hospital in a Low-Resource Setting in Tanzania

    PubMed Central

    2016-01-01

    Objective In low-resource settings, obstructed labour is strongly associated with severe maternal morbidity and intrapartum asphyxia, and consequently maternal and perinatal deaths. This study evaluated the impact of a criteria-based audit of the diagnosis and management of obstructed labour in a low-resource setting. Methods A baseline criteria-based audit was conducted from October 2013 to March 2014, followed by a workshop in which stakeholders gave feedback on interventions agreed upon to improve obstetric care. The implemented interventions included but were not limited to introducing standard guidelines for diagnosis and management of obstructed labour, agreeing on mandatory review by specialist for cases that are assigned caesarean section, re-training and supervision on use and interpretation of partograph and, strengthening team work between doctors, mid-wives and theatre staff. After implementing these interventions in March, a re-audit was performed from July 2015 to November, 2015, and the results were compared to those of the baseline audit. Results Two hundred and sixty deliveries in the baseline survey and 250 deliveries in the follow-up survey were audited. Implementing the new criteria improved the diagnosis from 74% to 81% (p = 0.049) and also the management of obstructed labour from 4.2% at baseline audit to 9.2% at re-audit (p = 0.025). Improved detection of prolonged labour through heightened observation of regular contractions, protracted cervical dilatation, protracted descent of presenting part, arrested cervical dilation, and severe moulding contributed to improved standards of diagnosis (all p < 0.04). Patient reviews by senior obstetricians increased from 34% to 43% (p = 0.045) and reduced time for caesarean section intervention from the median time of 120 to 90 minutes (p = 0.001) improved management (all p < 0.05). Perinatal outcomes, neonatal distress and fresh stillbirths, were reduced from 16% to. 8.8% (p = 0.01). Conclusion A

  2. Improving Standards of Care in Obstructed Labour: A Criteria-Based Audit at a Referral Hospital in a Low-Resource Setting in Tanzania.

    PubMed

    Mgaya, Andrew H; Kidanto, Hussein L; Nystrom, Lennarth; Essén, Birgitta

    2016-01-01

    In low-resource settings, obstructed labour is strongly associated with severe maternal morbidity and intrapartum asphyxia, and consequently maternal and perinatal deaths. This study evaluated the impact of a criteria-based audit of the diagnosis and management of obstructed labour in a low-resource setting. A baseline criteria-based audit was conducted from October 2013 to March 2014, followed by a workshop in which stakeholders gave feedback on interventions agreed upon to improve obstetric care. The implemented interventions included but were not limited to introducing standard guidelines for diagnosis and management of obstructed labour, agreeing on mandatory review by specialist for cases that are assigned caesarean section, re-training and supervision on use and interpretation of partograph and, strengthening team work between doctors, mid-wives and theatre staff. After implementing these interventions in March, a re-audit was performed from July 2015 to November, 2015, and the results were compared to those of the baseline audit. Two hundred and sixty deliveries in the baseline survey and 250 deliveries in the follow-up survey were audited. Implementing the new criteria improved the diagnosis from 74% to 81% (p = 0.049) and also the management of obstructed labour from 4.2% at baseline audit to 9.2% at re-audit (p = 0.025). Improved detection of prolonged labour through heightened observation of regular contractions, protracted cervical dilatation, protracted descent of presenting part, arrested cervical dilation, and severe moulding contributed to improved standards of diagnosis (all p < 0.04). Patient reviews by senior obstetricians increased from 34% to 43% (p = 0.045) and reduced time for caesarean section intervention from the median time of 120 to 90 minutes (p = 0.001) improved management (all p < 0.05). Perinatal outcomes, neonatal distress and fresh stillbirths, were reduced from 16% to. 8.8% (p = 0.01). A criteria-based audit proved to be a

  3. Obstetric audit: the Bradford way.

    PubMed

    Lodge, Virginia; Lomas, Karen; Jaworskyj, Suzanne; Thomson, Heidi

    2014-08-01

    Ultrasound is widely used as a screening tool in obstetrics with the aim of reducing maternal and foetal morbidity. However, to be effective it is recommended that scanning services follow standard protocols based on national guidelines and that scanning practice is audited to ensure consistency. Bradford has a multi-ethnic population with one of the highest rates of birth defects in the UK and it requires an effective foetal anomaly screening service. We implemented a rolling programme of audits of dating scans, foetal anomaly scans and growth scans carried out by sonographers in Bradford. All three categories of scan were audited using measurable parameters based on national guidelines. Following feedback and re-training to address issues identified, re-audits of dating and foetal anomaly scans were carried out. In both cases, sonographers being re-audited had a marked improvement in their practice. Analysis of foetal abnormality detection rates showed that as a department, we were reaching the nationally agreed detection rates for the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme auditable conditions. Audit has been shown to be a useful and essential process in achieving consistent scanning practices and high quality images and measurements.

  4. Obstetric audit: the Bradford way

    PubMed Central

    Lomas, Karen; Jaworskyj, Suzanne; Thomson, Heidi

    2014-01-01

    Ultrasound is widely used as a screening tool in obstetrics with the aim of reducing maternal and foetal morbidity. However, to be effective it is recommended that scanning services follow standard protocols based on national guidelines and that scanning practice is audited to ensure consistency. Bradford has a multi-ethnic population with one of the highest rates of birth defects in the UK and it requires an effective foetal anomaly screening service. We implemented a rolling programme of audits of dating scans, foetal anomaly scans and growth scans carried out by sonographers in Bradford. All three categories of scan were audited using measurable parameters based on national guidelines. Following feedback and re-training to address issues identified, re-audits of dating and foetal anomaly scans were carried out. In both cases, sonographers being re-audited had a marked improvement in their practice. Analysis of foetal abnormality detection rates showed that as a department, we were reaching the nationally agreed detection rates for the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme auditable conditions. Audit has been shown to be a useful and essential process in achieving consistent scanning practices and high quality images and measurements. PMID:27433213

  5. 17 CFR 38.552 - Elements of an acceptable audit trail program.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... of the order shall also be captured. (b) Transaction history database. A designated contract market's audit trail program must include an electronic transaction history database. An adequate transaction history database includes a history of all trades executed via open outcry or via entry into an electronic...

  6. 17 CFR 38.552 - Elements of an acceptable audit trail program.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... of the order shall also be captured. (b) Transaction history database. A designated contract market's audit trail program must include an electronic transaction history database. An adequate transaction history database includes a history of all trades executed via open outcry or via entry into an electronic...

  7. Undertaking clinical audit, with reference to a Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health audit of lithium monitoring.

    PubMed

    Paton, Carol; Barnes, Thomas R E

    2014-06-01

    Audit is an important tool for quality improvement. The collection of data on clinical performance against evidence-based and clinically relevant standards, which are considered by clinicians to be realistic in routine practice, can usefully prompt reflective practice and the implementation of change. Evidence of participation in clinical audit is required to achieve intended learning outcomes for trainees in psychiatry and revalidation for those who are members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. This article addresses some of the practical steps involved in conducting an audit project, and, to illustrate key points, draws on lessons learnt from a national, audit-based, quality improvement programme of lithium prescribing and monitoring conducted through the Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health.

  8. 40 CFR 91.608 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. 91.608 Section 91.608... with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. (a) The prescribed acceptable quality level is 40 percent. (b) A failed engine is one whose final test...

  9. 40 CFR 89.510 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. 89.510 Section 89.510... Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. (a) The prescribed acceptable quality level is 40 percent. (b) A failed engine is one whose final...

  10. 40 CFR 89.510 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. 89.510 Section 89.510... Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. (a) The prescribed acceptable quality level is 40 percent. (b) A failed engine is one whose final...

  11. 40 CFR 91.608 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. 91.608 Section 91.608... with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. (a) The prescribed acceptable quality level is 40 percent. (b) A failed engine is one whose final test...

  12. 40 CFR 91.608 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. 91.608 Section 91.608... with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. (a) The prescribed acceptable quality level is 40 percent. (b) A failed engine is one whose final test...

  13. 28 CFR 115.401 - Frequency and scope of audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Frequency and scope of audits. 115.401 Section 115.401 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.401 Frequency and scope of audits. (a) During the...

  14. 28 CFR 115.401 - Frequency and scope of audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Frequency and scope of audits. 115.401 Section 115.401 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.401 Frequency and scope of audits. (a) During the...

  15. 28 CFR 115.401 - Frequency and scope of audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Frequency and scope of audits. 115.401 Section 115.401 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT NATIONAL STANDARDS Auditing and Corrective Action § 115.401 Frequency and scope of audits. (a) During the...

  16. Environmental auditing and the role of the accountancy profession: a literature review.

    PubMed

    de Moor, Philippe; de Beelde, Ignace

    2005-08-01

    This review of the literature on environmental auditing and the potential role of accountants distinguishes between compliance audits and audits of the environmental management system. After an extensive introduction to the concept, this review focuses on the similarities and differences between an environmental audit and a financial statement audit. The general approach to both types of audits is similar, except that environmental audits are largely unregulated. Both audits place an emphasis on the evaluation of control systems, which is an argument in favor of external auditors playing a role in environmental audits. Another argument for including external accountants is their code of ethics. However, these professionals seem to be reluctant to enter the field of environmental auditing. It is argued that this reluctance is because of a lack of generally accepted principles for conducting environmental audits. If external accountants are engaged in environmental auditing, they should be part of multidisciplinary teams that also include scientists and engineers to avoid a too strong focus on procedures. Rather than treating these audits as totally different, it is proposed that there be a move towards integrated, or even universal, audits.

  17. The Double Standard at Sexual Debut: Gender, Sexual Behavior and Adolescent Peer Acceptance

    PubMed Central

    Kreager, Derek A.; Staff, Jeremy; Gauthier, Robin; Lefkowitz, Eva S.; Feinberg, Mark E.

    2016-01-01

    A sexual double standard in adolescence has important implications for sexual development and gender inequality. The present study uses longitudinal social network data (N = 914; 11–16 years of age) to test if gender moderates associations between adolescents’ sexual behaviors and peer acceptance. Consistent with a traditional sexual double standard, female adolescents who reported having sex had significant decreases in peer acceptance over time, whereas male adolescents reporting the same behavior had significant increases in peer acceptance. This pattern was observed net of respondents’ own perceived friendships, further suggesting that the social responses to sex vary by gender of the sexual actor. However, findings for “making out” showed a reverse double standard, such that female adolescents reporting this behavior had increases in peer acceptance and male adolescents reporting the same behavior had decreases in peer acceptance over time. Results thus suggest that peers enforce traditional sexual scripts for both “heavy” and “light” sexual behaviors during adolescence. These findings have important implications for sexual health education, encouraging educators to develop curricula that emphasize the gendered social construction of sexuality and to combat inequitable and stigmatizing peer responses to real or perceived deviations from traditional sexual scripts. PMID:27833252

  18. Assessment of national dosimetry quality audits results for teletherapy machines from 1989 to 2015.

    PubMed

    Muhammad, Wazir; Ullah, Asad; Mahmood, Khalid; Matiullah

    2016-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to ensure accuracy in radiation dose delivery, external dosimetry quality audit has an equal importance with routine dosimetry performed at clinics. To do so, dosimetry quality audit was organized by the Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) of Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) at the national level to investigate and minimize uncertainties involved in the measurement of absorbed dose, and to improve the accuracy of dose measurement at different radiotherapy hospitals. A total of 181 dosimetry quality audits (i.e., 102 of Co-60 and 79 of linear accelerators) for teletherapy units installed at 22 different sites were performed from 1989 to 2015. The percent deviation between users’ calculated/stated dose and evaluated dose (in the result of on-site dosimetry visits) were calculated and the results were analyzed with respect to the limits of ± 2.5% (ICRU "optimal model") ± 3.0% (IAEA on-site dosimetry visits limit) and ± 5.0% (ICRU minimal or "lowest acceptable" model). The results showed that out of 181 total on-site dosimetry visits, 20.44%, 16.02%, and 4.42% were out of acceptable limits of ± 2.5% ± 3.0%, and ± 5.0%, respectively. The importance of a proper ongoing quality assurance program, recommendations of the followed protocols, and properly calibrated thermometers, pressure gauges, and humidity meters at radiotherapy hospitals are essential in maintaining consistency and uniformity of absorbed dose measurements for precision in dose delivery.

  19. Practice-audit-publish: A practice reflection.

    PubMed

    Ferrari, Robert

    2016-12-01

    Practice audits are useful opportunities to improve practice efficiency and effectiveness, reduce clinical errors, demonstrate quality care to stakeholders, promote high standards of practice, lower the risk of liability, and foster practice change. However, a benefit that is usually overlooked is the possibility of publication of the results of a practice audit. Publication (research) has a number of benefits for the clinician, including skill development as a scholar, communicator, professional, and collaborator. A practice audit is beneficial to an individual physician; furthermore, publication of the audit results could be beneficial for many others such as health care providers, patients, and other stakeholders in a health care system. The problem is that practice audits often begin without a clear plan. The important steps in planning and carrying out a practice audit can be captured by thinking about how a research publication evolves. Thus, a good researcher is a good practice auditor. This paper reviews the author's experience and provides examples and directions of the process of practice-audit-publish.

  20. Practice-audit-publish: A practice reflection

    PubMed Central

    Ferrari, Robert

    2016-01-01

    Practice audits are useful opportunities to improve practice efficiency and effectiveness, reduce clinical errors, demonstrate quality care to stakeholders, promote high standards of practice, lower the risk of liability, and foster practice change. However, a benefit that is usually overlooked is the possibility of publication of the results of a practice audit. Publication (research) has a number of benefits for the clinician, including skill development as a scholar, communicator, professional, and collaborator. A practice audit is beneficial to an individual physician; furthermore, publication of the audit results could be beneficial for many others such as health care providers, patients, and other stakeholders in a health care system. The problem is that practice audits often begin without a clear plan. The important steps in planning and carrying out a practice audit can be captured by thinking about how a research publication evolves. Thus, a good researcher is a good practice auditor. This paper reviews the author’s experience and provides examples and directions of the process of practice-audit-publish. PMID:28149662

  1. A comprehensive audit of nursing record keeping practice.

    PubMed

    Griffiths, Paul; Debbage, Samantha; Smith, Alison

    Good quality record keeping is essential to safe and effective patient care. To ensure that high standards of record keeping are maintained, regular clinical audit should be undertaken. This article describes an audit and re-audit of nursing record keeping at Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The article demonstrates improving audit data in 2005 and 2006 and describes how audit and the resulting recommendations and action plans can result in real improvements in the quality of record keeping. The keys to success in this ongoing audit programme are identified as stakeholder involvement, support from the senior nurses in the organization and the use of the data for both local and trust-wide purposes.

  2. A National Framework for Energy Audit Ordinances

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Taylor, Cody; Costa, Marc; Long, Nicholas

    A handful of U.S. cities have begun to incorporate energy audits into their building energy performance policies. Cities are beginning to recognize an opportunity to use several information tools to bring to real estate markets both motivation to improve efficiency and actionable pointers on how to improve. Care is necessary to combine such tools as operational ratings, energy audits, asset ratings, and building retro-commissioning in an effective policy regime that maximizes market impact. In this paper, the authors focus on energy audits and consider both the needs of the policies' implementers in local governments and the emerging standards and federalmore » tools to improve data collection and practitioner engagement. Over the past two years, we have compared several related data formats such as New York City's existing audit reporting spreadsheet, ASHRAE guidance on building energy auditing, and the DOE Building Energy Asset Score, to identify a possible set of required and optional fields for energy audit reporting programs. Doing so revealed tensions between the ease of data collection and the value of more detailed information, which had implications for the effort and qualifications needed to complete the energy audit. The resulting list of data fields is now feeding back into the regulatory process in several cities currently working on implementing or developing audit policies. Using complementary policies and standardized tools for data transmission, the next generation of policies and programs will be tailored to local building stock and can more effectively target improvement opportunities through each building's life.« less

  3. Combining ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and European Commission Decision 2002/657 audit requirements: a practical way forward.

    PubMed

    Kay, Jack F

    2012-08-01

    Laboratories involved in the analyses of veterinary drug residues are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that they produce meaningful and reliable data. Quality assurance and quality control systems are implemented in laboratories to provide evidence of this and these are subject to external assessment to ensure that they are effective. Audits to ISO/IEC 17025:2005, an internationally accepted standard, and subsequent accreditation provide laboratories and their customers with a degree of assurance that the laboratories are operating in control and the data they report can be relied on. However, national or regional authorities may place additional requirements on laboratories to ensure quality data are reported. For example, in the European Union, all official control laboratories involved in veterinary drug residue analyses must also meet the requirements of European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC which sets performance criteria for analytical methods used in this area and these are subject to additional audits by national or regional authorities. All audits place considerable time and resource demands on laboratories and this paper discusses the burden audits place on laboratories and describes a UK initiative to combine these audits to the benefit of both the regulatory authority and the laboratory. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  4. Maintenance Manual for AUDIT. A System for Analyzing SESCOMP Software. Volume 4: Appendix D. Listings of the AUDIT Software for the IBM 360.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1977-08-01

    The AUDIT documentation provides the maintenance programmer personnel with the information to effectively maintain and use the AUDIT software. The ...SESCOMPSPEC’s) and produces reports detailing the deviations from those standards. The AUDIT software also examines a program unit to detect and report...changes in word length on the output of computer programs. This report contains the listings of the AUDIT software for the IBM 360. (Author)

  5. Maintenance Manual for AUDIT. A System for Analyzing SESCOMP Software. Volume 3: Appendix C - Listings of the AUDIT Software for the UNIVAC 1108.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1977-08-01

    The AUDIT documentation provides the maintenance programmer personnel with the information to effectively maintain and use the AUDIT software. The ...SESCOMPSPEC’s) and produces reports detailing the deviations from those standards. The AUDIT software also examines a program unit to detect and report...changes in word length on the output of computer programs. This report contains the listings of the AUDIT software for the UNIVAC 1108. (Author)

  6. Maintenance Manual for AUDIT. A System for Analyzing SESCOMP Software. Volume 2: Appendix B. Listings of the Audit Software for the CDC 6000.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1977-08-01

    The AUDIT documentation provides the maintenance programmer personnel with the information to effectively maintain and use the AUDIT software. The ...SESCOMPSPEC’s) and produces reports detailing the deviations from those standards. The AUDIT software also examines a program unit to detect and report...changes in word length on the output of computer programs. This report contains the listings of the AUDIT software for the CDC 6000. (Author)

  7. 23 CFR 172.7 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 23 Highways 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Audits. 172.7 Section 172.7 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY... 23 U.S.C. 112 and this part provided that the consultant is given notice of each use and transfer... subrecpient's acceptance of a consultant's overhead rates pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 112 and this part without the...

  8. 23 CFR 172.7 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 23 Highways 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Audits. 172.7 Section 172.7 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY... 23 U.S.C. 112 and this part provided that the consultant is given notice of each use and transfer... subrecpient's acceptance of a consultant's overhead rates pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 112 and this part without the...

  9. 23 CFR 172.7 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 23 Highways 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Audits. 172.7 Section 172.7 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY... 23 U.S.C. 112 and this part provided that the consultant is given notice of each use and transfer... subrecpient's acceptance of a consultant's overhead rates pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 112 and this part without the...

  10. [Medical audits contribute to good and comparable health services].

    PubMed

    Arntzen, Elisabeth; Mikkelsen, Bente

    2007-01-04

    In 2004, the board of Eastern Norwegian Regional Health Authority (HelseØst RHF) decided that medical audits should be carried out in the treatment of cerebral stroke and breast cancer and in the mental health services. The objective was to establish to what extent the best practice is followed, to learn from each other, and to obtain help and advice. The medical audits were based on guidelines in ISO and were carried out under the leadership of external medical audit leaders, medical experts and medical auditors from the region. The results show that, on the whole, the patients are offered satisfactory treatment, but improvement is needed. The number of breast-preserving operations could be increased, treatment should be offered in a cerebral stroke unit to all those with acute cerebral stroke and suicide assessments should be improved. Most improvement measures were started quickly and were followed up by directors and local boards. HelseØst RHF followed up the general improvement suggestions. The medical audits were well received by health enterprises. In order to carry out medical audits the following is needed; national medical standards or summarized information on the best practice where standards are not defined. The regional health enterprises can use medical audits to assess the standard of treatment in risk zones, thus ensuring that uniform services are available for the population. Medical audits provide a good tool for preserving quality.

  11. A review of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), AUDIT-C, and USAUDIT for screening in the United States: Past issues and future directions.

    PubMed

    Higgins-Biddle, John C; Babor, Thomas F

    2018-05-03

    The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that clinicians screen all adults for alcohol misuse and provide brief counseling to those engaged in risky or hazardous drinking. The World Health Organization's (WHO's) Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is the most widely tested instrument for screening in primary health care. This paper describes the structural and functional features of the AUDIT and methodological problems with the validation of the alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C). The content, scoring, and rationale for a new version of the AUDIT (called the USAUDIT), adapted to US standard drink size and hazardous drinking guidelines, is presented. Narrative review focusing on the consumption elements of the AUDIT. Four studies of the AUDIT-C are reviewed and evaluated. The AUDIT has been used extensively in many countries without making the changes in the first three consumption questions recommended in the AUDIT User's Manual. As a consequence, the original WHO version is not compatible with US guidelines and AUDIT scores are not comparable with those obtained in countries that have different drink sizes, consumption units, and safe drinking limits. Clinical and Scientific Significance. The USAUDIT has adapted the WHO AUDIT to a 14 g standard drink, and US low-risk drinking guidelines. These changes provide greater accuracy in measuring alcohol consumption than the AUDIT-C.

  12. 30 CFR 553.24 - When I submit audited annual financial statements to verify my net worth, what standards must...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false When I submit audited annual financial statements to verify my net worth, what standards must they meet? 553.24 Section 553.24 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OFFSHORE OIL SPILL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY...

  13. 30 CFR 553.24 - When I submit audited annual financial statements to verify my net worth, what standards must...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false When I submit audited annual financial statements to verify my net worth, what standards must they meet? 553.24 Section 553.24 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OFFSHORE OIL SPILL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY...

  14. 30 CFR 553.24 - When I submit audited annual financial statements to verify my net worth, what standards must...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false When I submit audited annual financial statements to verify my net worth, what standards must they meet? 553.24 Section 553.24 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OFFSHORE OIL SPILL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY...

  15. 76 FR 23861 - Corporate Credit Unions

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-29

    ... statements, Financial statement audit, Generally accepted auditing standards, Independent public accountant... public accountant undermines the IPA's independence. The Board is delaying the effective date of this ERM... accepted auditing standards, Independent public accountant, Internal control, Internal control framework...

  16. Near-Real-Time Cloud Auditing for Rapid Response

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-10-01

    cloud auditing , which provides timely evaluation results and rapid response, is the key to assuring the cloud. In this paper, we discuss security and...providers with possible automation of the audit , assertion, assessment, and assurance of their services. The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA [15]) was formed...monitoring tools, research literature, standards, and other resources related to IA (Information Assurance ) metrics and IT auditing . In the following

  17. 75 FR 34953 - Existence of Proposed Airworthiness Design Standards for Acceptance Under the Primary Category...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-06-21

    ... the proposed airworthiness design standards for acceptance of the OHA, Inc., Models Cessna 172I, 172K... Airworthiness Design Standards for Acceptance Under the Primary Category Rule; Orlando Helicopter Airways (OHA), Inc., Models Cessna 172I, 172K, 172L, and 172M AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT...

  18. 6 CFR 27.250 - Inspections and audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 6 Domestic Security 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Inspections and audits. 27.250 Section 27.250 Domestic Security DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM STANDARDS Chemical Facility Security Program § 27.250 Inspections and audits. (a) Authority. In order to...

  19. Enhancing compliance at Department of Defense facilities: comparison of three environmental audit tools.

    PubMed

    Hepler, Jeff A; Neumann, Cathy

    2003-04-01

    To enhance environmental compliance, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) recently developed and implemented a standardized environmental audit tool called The Environmental Assessment and Management (TEAM) Guide. Utilization of a common audit tool (TEAM Guide) throughout DOD agencies could be an effective agent of positive change. If, however, the audit tool is inappropriate, environmental compliance at DOD facilities could worsen. Furthermore, existing audit systems such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA's) Generic Protocol for Conducting Environmental Audits of Federal Facilities and the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO's) Standard 14001, "Environmental Management System Audits," may be abandoned even if they offer significant advantages over TEAM Guide audit tool. Widespread use of TEAM Guide should not take place until thorough and independent evaluation has been performed. The purpose of this paper is to compare DOD's TEAM Guide audit tool with U.S. EPA's Generic Protocol for Conducting Environmental Audits of Federal Facilities and ISO 14001, in order to assess which is most appropriate and effective for DOD facilities, and in particular those operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). USACE was selected as a result of one author's recent experience as a district environmental compliance coordinator responsible for the audit mission at this agency. Specific recommendations for enhancing the quality of environmental audits at all DOD facilities also are given.

  20. The Dutch surgical colorectal audit.

    PubMed

    Van Leersum, N J; Snijders, H S; Henneman, D; Kolfschoten, N E; Gooiker, G A; ten Berge, M G; Eddes, E H; Wouters, M W J M; Tollenaar, R A E M; Bemelman, W A; van Dam, R M; Elferink, M A; Karsten, Th M; van Krieken, J H J M; Lemmens, V E P P; Rutten, H J T; Manusama, E R; van de Velde, C J H; Meijerink, W J H J; Wiggers, Th; van der Harst, E; Dekker, J W T; Boerma, D

    2013-10-01

    In 2009, the nationwide Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit (DSCA) was initiated by the Association of Surgeons of the Netherlands (ASN) to monitor, evaluate and improve colorectal cancer care. The DSCA is currently widely used as a blueprint for the initiation of other audits, coordinated by the Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing (DICA). This article illustrates key elements of the DSCA and results of three years of auditing. Key elements include: a leading role of the professional association with integration of the audit in the national quality assurance policy; web-based registration by medical specialists; weekly updated online feedback to participants; annual external data verification with other data sources; improvement projects. In two years, all Dutch hospitals participated in the audit. Case-ascertainment was 92% in 2010 and 95% in 2011. External data verification by comparison with the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) showed high concordance of data items. Within three years, guideline compliance for diagnostics, preoperative multidisciplinary meetings and standardised reporting increased; complication-, re-intervention and postoperative mortality rates decreased significantly. The success of the DSCA is the result of effective surgical collaboration. The leading role of the ASN in conducting the audit resulted in full participation of all colorectal surgeons in the Netherlands. By integrating the audit into the ASNs' quality assurance policy, it could be used to set national quality standards. Future challenges include reduction of administrative burden; expansion to a multidisciplinary registration; and addition of financial information and patient reported outcomes to the audit data. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. 7 CFR 3052.500 - Scope of audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... AGRICULTURE AUDITS OF STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Auditors § 3052.500 Scope of... statements. The auditor shall determine whether the financial statements of the auditee are presented fairly in all material respects in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The auditor...

  2. 38 CFR 41.500 - Scope of audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... OF STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Auditors § 41.500 Scope of audit. (a... auditor shall determine whether the financial statements of the auditee are presented fairly in all material respects in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The auditor shall also...

  3. 7 CFR 3052.500 - Scope of audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... AGRICULTURE AUDITS OF STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Auditors § 3052.500 Scope of... statements. The auditor shall determine whether the financial statements of the auditee are presented fairly in all material respects in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The auditor...

  4. 38 CFR 41.500 - Scope of audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... OF STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Auditors § 41.500 Scope of audit. (a... auditor shall determine whether the financial statements of the auditee are presented fairly in all material respects in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The auditor shall also...

  5. Audit in forensic pathology.

    PubMed

    Burke, M P; Opeskin, K

    2000-09-01

    Autopsy numbers in Australian hospitals have declined markedly during the past decade despite evidence of a relatively static rate of demonstrable clinical misdiagnosis during this time. The reason for this decrease in autopsy numbers is multifactorial and may include a general lack of clinical and pathologic interest in the autopsy with a possible decline in autopsy standard, a lack of clinicopathologic correlation after autopsies, and an increased emphasis on surgical biopsy reporting within hospital pathology departments. Although forensic autopsies are currently maintaining their numbers, it is incumbent on forensic pathologists to demonstrate the wealth of important information a carefully performed postmortem examination can reveal. To this end, the Pathology Division of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine has instituted a program of minimum standards in varied types of coroner cases and commenced a system of internal and external audit. The minimum standard for a routine, sudden, presumed natural death is presented and the audit system is discussed.

  6. Implementing Major Trauma Audit in Ireland.

    PubMed

    Deasy, Conor; Cronin, Marina; Cahill, Fiona; Geary, Una; Houlihan, Patricia; Woodford, Maralyn; Lecky, Fiona; Mealy, Ken; Crowley, Philip

    2016-01-01

    There are 27 receiving trauma hospitals in the Republic of Ireland. There has not been an audit system in place to monitor and measure processes and outcomes of care. The National Office of Clinical Audit (NOCA) is now working to implement Major Trauma Audit (MTA) in Ireland using the well-established National Health Service (NHS) UK Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN). The aim of this report is to highlight the implementation process of MTA in Ireland to raise awareness of MTA nationally and share lessons that may be of value to other health systems undertaking the development of MTA. The National Trauma Audit Committee of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, consisting of champions and stakeholders in trauma care, in 2010 advised on the adaptation of TARN for Ireland. In 2012, the Emergency Medicine Program endorsed TARN and in setting up the National Emergency Medicine Audit chose MTA as the first audit project. A major trauma governance group was established representing stakeholders in trauma care, a national project co-ordinator was recruited and a clinical lead nominated. Using Survey Monkey, the chief executives of all trauma receiving hospitals were asked to identify their hospital's trauma governance committee, trauma clinical lead and their local trauma data co-ordinator. Hospital Inpatient Enquiry systems were used to identify to hospitals an estimate of their anticipated trauma audit workload. There are 25 of 27 hospitals now collecting data using the TARN trauma audit platform. These hospitals have provided MTA Clinical Leads, allocated data co-ordinators and incorporated MTA reports formally into their clinical governance, quality and safety committee meetings. There has been broad acceptance of the NOCA escalation policy by hospitals in appreciation of the necessity for unexpected audit findings to stimulate action. Major trauma audit measures trauma patient care processes and outcomes of care to drive quality improvement at hospital and

  7. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING INTERNAL FIELD AUDITS AND QUALITY CONTROL (SOP-2.25)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for conducting internal field audits and quality control procedures. Internal field audits will be conducted to ensure the collection of high quality data. Internal field audits will be conducted by Field Auditors (the Field QA Officer and the Field...

  8. DoD Actions Were Not Adequate to Reduce Improper Travel Payments

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-03-10

    this audit in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. We considered management comments on a draft of this report when...DoD Travel Pay program were effective. See Appendix A for the scope and methodology and prior audit coverage. Background Public Law 111-204, the...conducted this performance audit from May 2015 through January 2016 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those

  9. MO-D-213-08: Remote Dosimetric Credentialing for Clinical Trials with the Virtual EPID Standard Phantom Audit (VESPA)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lehmann, J; University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW; Miri, N

    Purpose: Report on implementation of a Virtual EPID Standard Phantom Audit (VESPA) for IMRT to support credentialing of facilities for clinical trials. Data is acquired by local facility staff and transferred electronically. Analysis is performed centrally. Methods: VESPA is based on published methods and a clinically established IMRT QA procedure, here extended to multi-vendor equipment. Facilities, provided with web-based comprehensive instructions and CT datasets, create IMRT treatment plans. They deliver the treatments directly to their EPID without phantom or couch in the beam. They also deliver a set of simple calibration fields. Collected EPID images are uploaded electronically. In themore » analysis, the dose is projected back into a virtual phantom and 3D gamma analysis is performed. 2D dose planes and linear dose profiles can be analysed when needed for clarification. Results: Pilot facilities covering a range of planning and delivery systems have performed data acquisition and upload successfully. Analysis showed agreement comparable to local experience with the method. Advantages of VESPA are (1) fast turnaround mainly driven by the facility’s capability to provide the requested EPID images, (2) the possibility for facilities performing the audit in parallel, as there is no need to wait for a phantom, (3) simple and efficient credentialing for international facilities, (4) a large set of data points, and (5) a reduced impact on resources and environment as there is no need to transport heavy phantoms or audit staff. Limitations of the current implementation of VESPA for trials credentialing are that it does not provide absolute dosimetry, therefore a Level 1 audit still required, and that it relies on correctly delivered open calibration fields, which are used for system calibration. Conclusion: The implemented EPID based IMRT audit system promises to dramatically improve credentialing efficiency for clinical trials and wider applications. VESPA for

  10. Cerebrovascular accident patients: an interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary audit.

    PubMed

    Penman, G M; Wojnar-Horton, S A; Bebee, R

    1991-01-01

    To develop appropriate standards to assess the intervention with cerebrovascular accident (CVA) patients by allied health professionals; to establish baseline data with which subsequent information collected could be compared. Retrospective criteria auditing of hospital files was undertaken to evaluate whether the allied health professionals were meeting the expected clinical standards for patients admitted with a diagnosis of CVA. Written documentation in hospital files did not meet expected standards in all criteria and varied between professions. The data obtained provided a baseline against which future results could be measured. It was expected that subsequent evaluations would provide improved results. All departments agreed that meeting clinical standards was important and it was agreed to repeat the audit in one year and to include some outcome standards using patients' perceptions of service provision.

  11. A collaborative computer auditing system under SOA-based conceptual model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cong, Qiushi; Huang, Zuoming; Hu, Jibing

    2013-03-01

    Some of the current challenges of computer auditing are the obstacles to retrieving, converting and translating data from different database schema. During the last few years, there are many data exchange standards under continuous development such as Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL). These XML document standards can be used for data exchange among companies, financial institutions, and audit firms. However, for many companies, it is still expensive and time-consuming to translate and provide XML messages with commercial application packages, because it is complicated and laborious to search and transform data from thousands of tables in the ERP databases. How to transfer transaction documents for supporting continuous auditing or real time auditing between audit firms and their client companies is a important topic. In this paper, a collaborative computer auditing system under SOA-based conceptual model is proposed. By utilizing the widely used XML document standards and existing data transformation applications developed by different companies and software venders, we can wrap these application as commercial web services that will be easy implemented under the forthcoming application environments: service-oriented architecture (SOA). Under the SOA environments, the multiagency mechanism will help the maturity and popularity of data assurance service over the Internet. By the wrapping of data transformation components with heterogeneous databases or platforms, it will create new component markets composed by many software vendors and assurance service companies to provide data assurance services for audit firms, regulators or third parties.

  12. 45 CFR 98.65 - Audits and financial reporting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 45 Public Welfare 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Audits and financial reporting. 98.65 Section 98... DEVELOPMENT FUND Financial Management § 98.65 Audits and financial reporting. (a) Each Lead Agency shall have... independent standards. (g) The Secretary shall require financial reports as necessary. ...

  13. 48 CFR 42.101 - Contract audit responsibilities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... other related data as to the acceptability of the contractor's incurred and estimated costs; (2... contractor. In those instances, the two agencies shall agree on the most efficient and economical approach to... cognizance will be determined according to the provisions of OMB Circular A-133, Audits of Institutions of...

  14. 48 CFR 42.101 - Contract audit responsibilities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... other related data as to the acceptability of the contractor's incurred and estimated costs; (2... contractor. In those instances, the two agencies shall agree on the most efficient and economical approach to... cognizance will be determined according to the provisions of OMB Circular A-133, Audits of Institutions of...

  15. Practice Audit in Gastroenterology (PAGE) program: A novel approach to continuing professional development

    PubMed Central

    Armstrong, David; Hollingworth, Roger; Gardiner, Tara; Klassen, Michael; Smith, Wendy; Hunt, Richard H; Barkun, Alan; Gould, Michael; Leddin, Desmond

    2006-01-01

    BACKGROUND: Practice audit is an important component of continuing professional development that may more readily be undertaken if it were less complex. This qualitative study assessed the use of personal digital assistants to facilitate data collection and review. METHODS: Personal digital assistants programmed with standard questionnaires related to upper gastrointestinal endoscopies (Practice Audit in Gastroenterology-Endoscopy [‘PAGE-Endo’]) and colonoscopies (PAGE-Colonoscopy [‘PAGE-Colo’]) were provided to Canadian gastroenterologists, surgeons and internists. Over a three-week audit period, participants recorded indications, and the expected (E) and reported (R) findings for each procedure. Thereafter, participants recorded compliance with reporting, the ease of use and value of the PAGE program, and their willingness to perform another audit. RESULTS: Over 15 to 18 months, 173 participants completed PAGE-Endo (6168 procedures) and 111 completed PAGE-Colo (4776 procedures). Most respondents noted that PAGE was easy to use (99%), beneficial (88% to 95%), and that they were willing undertake another audit (92% to 95%). In PAGE-Endo, alarm features were prevalent (55%), but major reported findings were less common than expected: esophagitis (E 29.9%, R 14.8%), esophageal stricture (E 8.3%, R 3.6%), gastric ulcer (E 17.0%, R 4.7%), gastric cancer (E 4.3%, R 1.0%) and duodenal ulcer (E 11.5%, R 5.7%). In PAGE-Colo, more colonoscopies were performed for symptom investigation (55%) than for screening (25%) or surveillance (20%). There were marked interprovincial variations with respect to sedation, biopsies and technical aspects of colonoscopy. CONCLUSION: Secure, real-time data entry with review of aggregate and individual data in the PAGE program provided an acceptable, straightforward methodology for accredited practice audit activities. PAGE has considerable potential for continuing professional development in gastroenterology and other specialties

  16. 34 CFR Appendix B to Subpart B of... - Appendix I, Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities, and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... Organizations, Programs, Activities, and Functions (GAO) B Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 668 Education... Programs Pt. 668, Subpt. B, App. B Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 668—Appendix I, Standards for Audit of... required for the practice of public accountancy by the regulatory authorities of the States.” 1 1 Letter (B...

  17. 34 CFR Appendix B to Subpart B of... - Appendix I, Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities, and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... Organizations, Programs, Activities, and Functions (GAO) B Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 668 Education... Programs Pt. 668, Subpt. B, App. B Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 668—Appendix I, Standards for Audit of... required for the practice of public accountancy by the regulatory authorities of the States.” 1 1 Letter (B...

  18. 34 CFR Appendix B to Subpart B of... - Appendix I, Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities, and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... Organizations, Programs, Activities, and Functions (GAO) B Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 668 Education... Programs Pt. 668, Subpt. B, App. B Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 668—Appendix I, Standards for Audit of... required for the practice of public accountancy by the regulatory authorities of the States.” 1 1 Letter (B...

  19. Analysis of the quality of hospital information systems audit trails

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Audit Trails (AT) are fundamental to information security in order to guarantee access traceability but can also be used to improve Health information System’s (HIS) quality namely to assess how they are used or misused. This paper aims at analysing the existence and quality of AT, describing scenarios in hospitals and making some recommendations to improve the quality of information. Methods The responsibles of HIS for eight Portuguese hospitals were contacted in order to arrange an interview about the importance of AT and to collect audit trail data from their HIS. Five institutions agreed to participate in this study; four of them accepted to be interviewed, and four sent AT data. The interviews were performed in 2011 and audit trail data sent in 2011 and 2012. Each AT was evaluated and compared in relation to data quality standards, namely for completeness, comprehensibility, traceability among others. Only one of the AT had enough information for us to apply a consistency evaluation by modelling user behaviour. Results The interviewees in these hospitals only knew a few AT (average of 1 AT per hospital in an estimate of 21 existing HIS), although they all recognize some advantages of analysing AT. Four hospitals sent a total of 7 AT – 2 from Radiology Information System (RIS), 2 from Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), 3 from Patient Records. Three of the AT were understandable and three of the AT were complete. The AT from the patient records are better structured and more complete than the RIS/PACS. Conclusions Existing AT do not have enough quality to guarantee traceability or be used in HIS improvement. Its quality reflects the importance given to them by the CIO of healthcare institutions. Existing standards (e.g. ASTM:E2147, ISO/TS 18308:2004, ISO/IEC 27001:2006) are still not broadly used in Portugal. PMID:23919501

  20. Analysis of the quality of hospital information systems Audit Trails.

    PubMed

    Cruz-Correia, Ricardo; Boldt, Isabel; Lapão, Luís; Santos-Pereira, Cátia; Rodrigues, Pedro Pereira; Ferreira, Ana Margarida; Freitas, Alberto

    2013-08-06

    Audit Trails (AT) are fundamental to information security in order to guarantee access traceability but can also be used to improve Health information System's (HIS) quality namely to assess how they are used or misused. This paper aims at analysing the existence and quality of AT, describing scenarios in hospitals and making some recommendations to improve the quality of information. The responsibles of HIS for eight Portuguese hospitals were contacted in order to arrange an interview about the importance of AT and to collect audit trail data from their HIS. Five institutions agreed to participate in this study; four of them accepted to be interviewed, and four sent AT data. The interviews were performed in 2011 and audit trail data sent in 2011 and 2012. Each AT was evaluated and compared in relation to data quality standards, namely for completeness, comprehensibility, traceability among others. Only one of the AT had enough information for us to apply a consistency evaluation by modelling user behaviour. The interviewees in these hospitals only knew a few AT (average of 1 AT per hospital in an estimate of 21 existing HIS), although they all recognize some advantages of analysing AT. Four hospitals sent a total of 7 AT - 2 from Radiology Information System (RIS), 2 from Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), 3 from Patient Records. Three of the AT were understandable and three of the AT were complete. The AT from the patient records are better structured and more complete than the RIS/PACS. Existing AT do not have enough quality to guarantee traceability or be used in HIS improvement. Its quality reflects the importance given to them by the CIO of healthcare institutions. Existing standards (e.g. ASTM:E2147, ISO/TS 18308:2004, ISO/IEC 27001:2006) are still not broadly used in Portugal.

  1. Introducing criteria based audit into Ugandan maternity units.

    PubMed

    Weeks, A D; Alia, G; Ononge, S; Mutungi, A; Otolorin, E O; Mirembe, F M

    2004-02-01

    Maternal mortality in Uganda has remained unchanged at 500/100 000 over the past 10 years despite concerted efforts to improve the standard of maternity care. It is especially difficult to improve standards in rural areas, where there is little money for improvements. Furthermore, staff may be isolated, poorly paid, disempowered, lacking in morale, and have few skills to bring about change. Training programme to introduce criteria based audit into rural Uganda. Makerere University Medical School, Mulago Hospital (large government teaching hospital in Kampala), and Mpigi District (rural area with 10 small health centres around a district hospital). Didactic teaching about criteria based audit followed by practical work in own units, with ongoing support and follow up workshops. Improvements were seen in many standards of care. Staff showed universal enthusiasm for the training; many staff produced simple, cost-free improvements in their standard of care. Teaching of criteria based audit to those providing health care in developing countries can produce low cost improvements in the standards of care. Because the method is simple and can be used to provide improvements even without new funding, it has the potential to produce sustainable and cost effective changes in the standard of health care. Follow up is needed to prevent a waning of enthusiasm with time.

  2. Environmental auditing in hospitals: approach and implementation in an university hospital.

    PubMed

    Dettenkofer, M; Kümmerer, K; Schuster, A; Mühlich, M; Scherrer, M; Daschner, F D

    1997-05-01

    Medical audit in infection control today is accepted as an important element in the quality assurance of health care. In contrast, environmental auditing, which was approved in 1993 by the Council of the European Communities for industry ("Eco-Management and Audit Scheme-EMAS), has not so far been used as a tool to control and reduce environmental pollution caused by medical care in hospitals. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether environmental auditing in hospitals is useful. This process should also be cost effective. In this paper, methodological and organizational issues are described. Initially an environmental review of activities at the University Hospital, Freiburg and an eco-analysis of the input and output were performed. The first results of the study and a critical discussion will be presented in another paper.

  3. A criteria-based audit of the management of severe pre-eclampsia in Kampala, Uganda.

    PubMed

    Weeks, A D; Alia, G; Ononge, S; Otolorin, E O; Mirembe, F M

    2005-12-01

    To improve the quality of clinical care for women with severe pre-eclampsia. A criteria-based audit was conducted in a large government hospital in Uganda. Management practices were evaluated against standards developed by an expert panel by retrospectively evaluating 43 case files. Results of the audit were presented, and recommendations developed and implemented. A re-audit was conducted 6 months later. The initial audit showed that most standards were rarely achieved. Reasons were discussed. Guidelines were produced, additional supplies were purchased following a fundraising effort, labor ward procedures were streamlined, and staffing was increased. In the re-audit there were significant improvements in diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. Criteria-based audit can improve the quality of maternity care in countries with limited resources.

  4. simuwatt - A Tablet Based Electronic Auditing Tool

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Macumber, Daniel; Parker, Andrew; Lisell, Lars

    2014-05-08

    'simuwatt Energy Auditor' (TM) is a new tablet-based electronic auditing tool that is designed to dramatically reduce the time and cost to perform investment-grade audits and improve quality and consistency. The tool uses the U.S. Department of Energy's OpenStudio modeling platform and integrated Building Component Library to automate modeling and analysis. simuwatt's software-guided workflow helps users gather required data, and provides the data in a standard electronic format that is automatically converted to a baseline OpenStudio model for energy analysis. The baseline energy model is calibrated against actual monthly energy use to ASHRAE Standard 14 guidelines. Energy conservation measures frommore » the Building Component Library are then evaluated using OpenStudio's parametric analysis capability. Automated reporting creates audit documents that describe recommended packages of energy conservation measures. The development of this tool was partially funded by the U.S. Department of Defense's Environmental Security Technology Certification Program. As part of this program, the tool is being tested at 13 buildings on 5 Department of Defense sites across the United States. Results of the first simuwatt audit tool demonstration are presented in this paper.« less

  5. Validation of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test in university students: AUDIT and AUDIT-C.

    PubMed

    García Carretero, Miguel Ángel; Novalbos Ruiz, José Pedro; Martínez Delgado, José Manuel; O'Ferrall González, Cristina

    2016-03-02

    The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT and AUDIT-C) in order to detect problems related to the consumption of alcohol in the university population. The sample consisted of 1309 students.A Weekly Alcohol Consumption Diary was used as a gold standard; Cronbach's Alpha, the Kappa index, Spearman's correlation coefficient and exploratory factor analysis were applied for diagnostic reliability and validity, with ROC curves used to establish the different cut-off points. Binge Drinking (BD) episodes were found in 3.9% of men and 4.0% of women with otherwise low-risk drinking patterns. AUDIT identified 20.1% as high-risk drinkers and 6.4% as drinkers with physical-psychological problems and probable alcohol dependence.Cronbach's alpha of 0.75 demonstrates good internal consistency. The best cut-off points for high-risk drinking students were 8 for males and 6 for females. As for problem drinkers and probable ADS, 13 was the best cut-off point for both sexes. In relation to AUDIT-C, 5 and 4 were the best cut-off points for males and females with high-risk patterns, respectively. The criterion validity of AUDIT and AUDIT-C to detect binge drinking episodes was found to have a moderate K value. The results obtained show that AUDIT has good psychometric properties to detect early alcohol abuse disorders in university students; however, it is recommended that the cut-off point be reduced to 8 in men. AUDIT-C improves its predictive value by raising the cut-off point by one unit. Items 2 and 3 should be reviewed to increase its predictive value for BD.

  6. Quality audit--a review of the literature concerning delivery of continence care.

    PubMed

    Swaffield, J

    1995-09-01

    This paper outlines the role of quality audit within the framework of quality assurance, presenting the concurrent and retrospective approaches available. The literature survey provides a review of the limited audit tools available and their application to continence services and care delivery, as well as attempts to produce tools from national and local standard setting. Audit is part of a process; it can involve staff, patients and their relatives and the team of professionals providing care, as well as focusing on organizational and management levels. In an era of market delivery of services there is a need to justify why audit is important to continence advisors and managers. Effectiveness, efficiency and economics may drive the National Health Service, but quality assurance, which includes standards and audit tools, offers the means to ensure the quality of continence services and care to patients and auditing is also required in the purchaser/provider contracts for patient services. An overview and progress to date of published and other a projects in auditing continence care and service is presented. By outlining and highlighting the audit of continence service delivery and care as a basis on which to build quality assurance programmes, it is hoped that this knowledge will be shared through the setting up of a central auditing clearing project.

  7. Setting the Standards; The Importance of the Language Audit.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Greensmith, Catherine

    It is proposed that business language training be based on results of a "language audit," designed to identify the skill levels required to carry out specific tasks, propose training solutions, and monitor progress. A British organization has established a framework for assessing five levels of language skill in this context. These standards…

  8. 13 CFR 120.490 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... financial statement submitted to SBA before the audit. The fee schedule is set forth in SBA's Standard Operating Procedures manual. [61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996. Redesignated at 73 FR 75516, Dec. 11, 2008] ...

  9. 13 CFR 120.490 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... financial statement submitted to SBA before the audit. The fee schedule is set forth in SBA's Standard Operating Procedures manual. [61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996. Redesignated at 73 FR 75516, Dec. 11, 2008] ...

  10. 13 CFR 120.490 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... financial statement submitted to SBA before the audit. The fee schedule is set forth in SBA's Standard Operating Procedures manual. [61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996. Redesignated at 73 FR 75516, Dec. 11, 2008] ...

  11. 13 CFR 120.490 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... financial statement submitted to SBA before the audit. The fee schedule is set forth in SBA's Standard Operating Procedures manual. [61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996. Redesignated at 73 FR 75516, Dec. 11, 2008] ...

  12. 13 CFR 120.490 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... financial statement submitted to SBA before the audit. The fee schedule is set forth in SBA's Standard Operating Procedures manual. [61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996. Redesignated at 73 FR 75516, Dec. 11, 2008] ...

  13. Development and implementation of a remote audit tool for high dose rate (HDR) Ir-192 brachytherapy using optically stimulated luminescence dosimetry

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Casey, Kevin E.; Kry, Stephen F.; Howell, Rebecca M.

    criterion for source strength audits under a formal RPC audit program. Trial audits of four Nucletron sources and four Varian sources revealed an average RPC-to-institution dose ratio of 1.000 (standard deviation = 0.011).Conclusions: The authors have created an OSLD-based {sup 192}Ir HDR brachytherapy source remote audit tool which offers sufficient dose measurement accuracy to allow the RPC to establish a remote audit program with a ±5% acceptance criterion. The feasibility of the system has been demonstrated with eight trial audits to date.« less

  14. Development and implementation of a remote audit tool for high dose rate (HDR) Ir-192 brachytherapy using optically stimulated luminescence dosimetry

    PubMed Central

    Casey, Kevin E.; Alvarez, Paola; Kry, Stephen F.; Howell, Rebecca M.; Lawyer, Ann; Followill, David

    2013-01-01

    audit program. Trial audits of four Nucletron sources and four Varian sources revealed an average RPC-to-institution dose ratio of 1.000 (standard deviation = 0.011). Conclusions: The authors have created an OSLD-based 192Ir HDR brachytherapy source remote audit tool which offers sufficient dose measurement accuracy to allow the RPC to establish a remote audit program with a ±5% acceptance criterion. The feasibility of the system has been demonstrated with eight trial audits to date. PMID:24320455

  15. Companies' opinions and acceptance of global food safety initiative benchmarks after implementation.

    PubMed

    Crandall, Phil; Van Loo, Ellen J; O'Bryan, Corliss A; Mauromoustakos, Andy; Yiannas, Frank; Dyenson, Natalie; Berdnik, Irina

    2012-09-01

    International attention has been focused on minimizing costs that may unnecessarily raise food prices. One important aspect to consider is the redundant and overlapping costs of food safety audits. The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has devised benchmarked schemes based on existing international food safety standards for use as a unifying standard accepted by many retailers. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the decision made by Walmart Stores (Bentonville, AR) to require their suppliers to become GFSI compliant. An online survey of 174 retail suppliers was conducted to assess food suppliers' opinions of this requirement and the benefits suppliers realized when they transitioned from their previous food safety systems. The most common reason for becoming GFSI compliant was to meet customers' requirements; thus, supplier implementation of the GFSI standards was not entirely voluntary. Other reasons given for compliance were enhancing food safety and remaining competitive. About 54 % of food processing plants using GFSI benchmarked schemes followed the guidelines of Safe Quality Food 2000 and 37 % followed those of the British Retail Consortium. At the supplier level, 58 % followed Safe Quality Food 2000 and 31 % followed the British Retail Consortium. Respondents reported that the certification process took about 10 months. The most common reason for selecting a certain GFSI benchmarked scheme was because it was widely accepted by customers (retailers). Four other common reasons were (i) the standard has a good reputation in the industry, (ii) the standard was recommended by others, (iii) the standard is most often used in the industry, and (iv) the standard was required by one of their customers. Most suppliers agreed that increased safety of their products was required to comply with GFSI benchmarked schemes. They also agreed that the GFSI required a more carefully documented food safety management system, which often required

  16. Acceptance Factors Influencing Adoption of National Institute of Standards and Technology Information Security Standards: A Quantitative Study

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kiriakou, Charles M.

    2012-01-01

    Adoption of a comprehensive information security governance model and security controls is the best option organizations may have to protect their information assets and comply with regulatory requirements. Understanding acceptance factors of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Risk Management Framework (RMF) comprehensive…

  17. The use of alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) in detecting alcohol use disorder and risk drinking in the general population: validation of AUDIT using schedules for clinical assessment in neuropsychiatry.

    PubMed

    Lundin, Andreas; Hallgren, Mats; Balliu, Natalja; Forsell, Yvonne

    2015-01-01

    The alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) and AUDIT-Consumption (AUDIT-C) are commonly used in population surveys but there are few validations studies in the general population. Validity should be estimated in samples close to the targeted population and setting. This study aims to validate AUDIT and AUDIT-C in a general population sample (PART) in Stockholm, Sweden. We used a general population subsample age 20 to 64 that answered a postal questionnaire including AUDIT who later participated in a psychiatric interview (n = 1,093). Interviews using Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry was used as criterion standard. Diagnoses were set according to the fourth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Agreement between the diagnostic test and criterion standard was measured with area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC). A total of 1,086 (450 men and 636 women) of the interview participants completed AUDIT. There were 96 individuals with DSM-IV-alcohol dependence, 36 DSM-IV-Alcohol Abuse, and 153 Risk drinkers. AUCs were for DSM-IV-alcohol use disorder 0.90 (AUDIT-C 0.85); DSM-IV-dependence 0.94 (AUDIT-C 0.89); risk drinking 0.80 (AUDIT-C 0.80); and any criterion 0.87 (AUDIT-C 0.84). In this general population sample, AUDIT and AUDIT-C performed outstanding or excellent in identifying dependency, risk drinking, alcohol use disorder, any disorder, or risk drinking. Copyright © 2015 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.

  18. A systematic review of clinical audit in companion animal veterinary medicine.

    PubMed

    Rose, Nicole; Toews, Lorraine; Pang, Daniel S J

    2016-02-26

    Clinical audit is a quality improvement process with the goal of continuously improving quality of patient care as assessed by explicit criteria. In human medicine clinical audit has become an integral and required component of the standard of care. In contrast, in veterinary medicine there appear to have been a limited number of clinical audits published, indicating that while clinical audit is recognised, its adoption in veterinary medicine is still in its infancy. A systematic review was designed to report and evaluate the veterinary literature on clinical audit in companion animal species (dog, cat, horse). A systematic search of English and French articles using Proquest Dissertations and Theses database (February 6, 2014), CAB Abstracts (March 21, 2014 and April 4, 2014), Scopus (March 21, 2014), Web of Science Citation index (March 21, 2014) and OVID Medline (March 21, 2014) was performed. Included articles were those either discussing clinical audit (such as review articles and editorials) or reporting parts of, or complete, audit cycles. The majority of articles describing clinical audit were reviews. From 89 articles identified, twenty-one articles were included and available for review. Twelve articles were reviews of clinical audit in veterinary medicine, five articles included at least one veterinary clinical audit, one thesis was identified, one report was of a veterinary clinical audit website and two articles reported incomplete clinical audits. There was no indication of an increase in the number of published clinical audits since the first report in 1998. However, there was evidence of article misclassification, with studies fulfilling the criteria of clinical audit not appropriately recognised. Quality of study design and reporting of findings varied considerably, with information missing on key components, including duration of study, changes in practice implemented between audits, development of explicit criteria and appropriate statistical

  19. Static Analysis Alert Audits: Lexicon and Rules

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-11-04

    collaborators • Includes a standard set of well-defined determinations for static analysis alerts • Includes a set of auditing rules to help auditors make...consistent decisions in commonly-encountered situations Different auditors should make the same determination for a given alert! Improve the quality and...scenarios • Establish assumptions auditors can make • Overall: help make audit determinations more consistent We developed 12 rules • Drew on our own

  20. Developments in environmental auditing by supreme audit institutions.

    PubMed

    Van Leeuwen, Sylvia

    2004-02-01

    At the end of the 1980s, Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) became aware of their responsibility towards the environment and environmental policy. In this article, the development of environmental auditing by SAIs during the last 10 years is presented, as well as the current state of the art. The description is based on the results of three questionnaire surveys held in 1994, 1997, and 2000 by the INTOSAI Working Group in Environmental Auditing. In most countries, the government has stipulated some form of environmental policy, and the SAI has a mandate to carry out regularity and/or performance audits. The activities of SAIs have developed substantially since 1993. Nowadays, environmental auditing is a substantial and regular part of the audit work of more than half of the SAIs. Environmental problems are often transboundary in nature. SAIs can contribute to international environmental cooperation by auditing the compliance of their national government with international environmental obligations and commitments. The INTOSAI Working Group on environmental auditing wants to enhance this type of audit and has provided guidelines for the audit process and the selection of international agreements. Moreover, cooperation between SAIs is a good method to exchange experiences and to learn from each other.

  1. Understanding how and why audits work: protocol for a realist review of audit programmes to improve hospital care.

    PubMed

    Hut-Mossel, Lisanne; Welker, Gera; Ahaus, Kees; Gans, Rijk

    2017-06-14

    Many types of audits are commonly used in hospital care to promote quality improvements. However, the evidence on the effectiveness of audits is mixed. The objectives of this proposed realist review are (1) to understand how and why audits might, or might not, work in terms of delivering the intended outcome of improved quality of hospital care and (2) to examine under what circumstances audits could potentially be effective. This protocol will provide the rationale for using a realist review approach and outline the method. This review will be conducted using an iterative four-stage approach. The first and second steps have already been executed. The first step was to develop an initial programme theory based on the literature that explains how audits are supposed to work. Second, a systematic literature search was conducted using relevant databases. Third, data will be extracted and coded for concepts relating to context, outcomes and their interrelatedness. Finally, the data will be synthesised in a five-step process: (1) organising the extracted data into evidence tables, (2) theming, (3) formulating chains of inference from the identified themes, (4) linking the chains of inference and formulating CMO configurations and (5) refining the initial programme theory. The reporting of the review will follow the 'Realist and Meta-Review Evidence Synthesis: Evolving Standards' (RAMESES) publication standards. This review does not require formal ethical approval. A better understanding of how and why these audits work, and how context impacts their effectiveness, will inform stakeholders in deciding how to tailor and implement audits within their local context. We will use a range of dissemination strategies to ensure that findings from this realist review are broadly disseminated to academic and non-academic audiences. CRD42016039882. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial

  2. 75 FR 57274 - Financial Management and Assurance; Government Auditing Standards

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-20

    ... contained in the 2010 Exposure Draft update GAGAS to reflect major developments in the accountability and audit profession and emphasize specific considerations applicable to the government environment. In addition, this proposed revision modernizes GAGAS, with updates to reflect major developments in the...

  3. When and how to audit a diabetic foot service.

    PubMed

    Leese, Graham P; Stang, Duncan

    2016-01-01

    Quality improvement depends on data collection and audit of clinical services to inform clinical improvements. Various steps in the care of the diabetic foot can be used to audit a service but need defined audit standards. A diabetes foot service should have risk stratification system in place that should compare to the population-based figures of 76% having low-risk feet, 17% moderate risk and 7% being at high risk of ulceration. Resources can then be directed towards those with high-risk feet. Prevalence of foot ulceration needs to be audited. Community-based studies give an audit standard of around 2%, with 2 to 9% having had an ulcer at some stage in the past. Amputation rates should be easier to measure, and the best results are reported to be around 1.5-3 per 1000 people with diabetes. This is a useful benchmark figure, and the rate has been shown to decrease by approximately a third over the last 15 years in some centres. Ulceration rates and ulcer healing rates are the ultimate outcome audit measure as they are always undesirable, whilst occasionally for defined individuals, an amputation can be a good outcome. In addition to clinical outcomes, processes of care can be audited such as provision of clinical services, time from new ulcer to be seen by health care professional, inpatient foot care or use of antibiotics. Measurement of clinical services can be a challenge in the diabetic foot, but it is essential if clinical services and patient outcomes are to be improved. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  4. Clinical audit training improves undergraduates' performance in root canal therapy.

    PubMed

    Fong, J Y M; Tan, V J H; Lee, J R; Tong, Z G M; Foong, Y K; Tan, J M E; Parolia, A; Pau, A

    2017-12-20

    To evaluate the effectiveness of clinical audit-feedback cycle as an educational tool in improving the technical quality of root canal therapy (RCT) and compliance with record keeping performed by dental undergraduates. Clinical audit learning was introduced in Year 3 of a 5-year curriculum for dental undergraduates. During classroom activities, students were briefed on clinical audit, selected their audit topics in groups of 5 or 6 students, and prepared and presented their audit protocols. One chosen topic was RCT, in which 3 different cohorts of Year 3 students conducted retrospective audits of patients' records in 2012, 2014 and 2015 for their compliance with recommended record keeping criteria and their performance in RCT. Students were trained by and calibrated against an endodontist (κ ≥ 0.8). After each audit, the findings were reported in class, and recommendations were made for improvement in performance of RCT and record keeping. Students' compliance with published guidelines was presented and their RCT performances in each year were compared using the chi-square test. Overall compliance with of record keeping guidelines was 44.1% in 2012, 79.6% in 2014 and 94.6% in 2015 (P = .001). In the 2012 audit, acceptable extension, condensation and the absence of mishap were observed in 72.4, 75.7% and 91.5%; in the 2014 audit, 95.1%, 64.8% and 51.4%; and in 2015 audit, 96.4%, 82.1% and 92.8% of cases, respectively. In 2015, 76.8% of root canal fillings met all 3 technical quality criteria when compared to 48.6% in 2014 and 44.7% in 2012 (P = .001). Clinical audit-feedback cycle is an effective educational tool for improving dental undergraduates' compliance with record keeping and performance in the technical quality of RCT. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  5. 15 CFR 10.6 - Procedures for acceptance of a recommended standard.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., divided by three. No consideration will be given to volume of production or volume of distribution in... who use or consume the product covered by the standard. (8) “Acceptance by volume of production” means.... The weighting of each response will be made in accordance with the volume of production represented by...

  6. Development of a brachytherapy audit checklist tool.

    PubMed

    Prisciandaro, Joann; Hadley, Scott; Jolly, Shruti; Lee, Choonik; Roberson, Peter; Roberts, Donald; Ritter, Timothy

    2015-01-01

    To develop a brachytherapy audit checklist that could be used to prepare for Nuclear Regulatory Commission or agreement state inspections, to aid in readiness for a practice accreditation visit, or to be used as an annual internal audit tool. Six board-certified medical physicists and one radiation oncologist conducted a thorough review of brachytherapy-related literature and practice guidelines published by professional organizations and federal regulations. The team members worked at two facilities that are part of a large, academic health care center. Checklist items were given a score based on their judged importance. Four clinical sites performed an audit of their program using the checklist. The sites were asked to score each item based on a defined severity scale for their noncompliance, and final audit scores were tallied by summing the products of importance score and severity score for each item. The final audit checklist, which is available online, contains 83 items. The audit scores from the beta sites ranged from 17 to 71 (out of 690) and identified a total of 7-16 noncompliance items. The total time to conduct the audit ranged from 1.5 to 5 hours. A comprehensive audit checklist was developed which can be implemented by any facility that wishes to perform a program audit in support of their own brachytherapy program. The checklist is designed to allow users to identify areas of noncompliance and to prioritize how these items are addressed to minimize deviations from nationally-recognized standards. Copyright © 2015 American Brachytherapy Society. All rights reserved.

  7. The "general recognition and acceptance" standard of objectivity for good faith in prescribing: legal and medical implications.

    PubMed

    Brushwood, David B

    2007-01-01

    The United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit has ruled that a jury considering charges of drug trafficking against a pain management physician should be instructed that the defendant's good faith is a defense to the charges. The court rejected a subjective standard of good faith, and instead ruled that the good faith of the defendant must be evaluated from an objective perspective. This objective standard requires that the jury determine whether the defendant was practicing in accordance with the standard generally recognized and accepted in the United States. General recognition and acceptance are determined on a case-by-case basis, within the context of a defendant's practice. Simply because a physician's practice is out of the norm for many physicians does not mean it can't be generally recognized and accepted within the standard of medical practice. Expert witness testimony of pain management physicians will assist juries in the application of this standard for good faith in prescribing.

  8. Achievement of NICE quality standards for patients with new presentation of inflammatory arthritis: observations from the National Clinical Audit for Rheumatoid and Early Inflammatory Arthritis.

    PubMed

    Ledingham, Joanna M; Snowden, Neil; Rivett, Ali; Galloway, James; Ide, Zoe; Firth, Jill; MacPhie, Elizabeth; Kandala, Ngianga; Dennison, Elaine M; Rowe, Ian

    2017-02-01

    A national audit was performed assessing the early management of suspected inflammatory arthritis by English and Welsh rheumatology units. The aim of this audit was to measure the performance of rheumatology services against National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) quality standards (QSs) for the management of early inflammatory arthritis benchmarked to regional and national comparators for the first time in the UK. All individuals >16 years of age presenting to rheumatology services in England and Wales with suspected new-onset inflammatory arthritis were included in the audit. Information was collected against six NICE QSs that pertain to early inflammatory arthritis management. We present national data for the 6354 patients recruited from 1 February 2014 to 31 January 2015; 97% of trusts and health boards in England and Wales participated in this audit. Only 17% of patients were referred by their general practitioner within 3 days of first presentation. Specialist rheumatology assessment occurred within 3 weeks of referral in 38% of patients. The target of DMARD initiation within 6 weeks of referral was achieved in 53% of RA patients; 36% were treated with combination DMARDs and 82% with steroids within the first 3 months of specialist care. Fifty-nine per cent of patients received structured education on their arthritis within 1 month of diagnosis. In total, 91% of patients had a treatment target set; the agreed target was achieved within 3 months of specialist review in only 27% of patients. Access to urgent advice via a telephone helpline was reported to be available in 96% of trusts. The audit has highlighted gaps between NICE standards and delivery of care, as well as substantial geographic variability. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  9. Beam Output Audit results within the EORTC Radiation Oncology Group network.

    PubMed

    Hurkmans, Coen W; Christiaens, Melissa; Collette, Sandra; Weber, Damien Charles

    2016-12-15

    Beam Output Auditing (BOA) is one key process of the EORTC radiation therapy quality assurance program. Here the results obtained between 2005 and 2014 are presented and compared to previous results.For all BOA reports the following parameters were scored: centre, country, date of audit, beam energies and treatment machines audited, auditing organisation, percentage of agreement between stated and measured dose.Four-hundred and sixty-one BOA reports were analyzed containing the results of 1790 photon and 1366 electron beams, delivered by 755 different treatment machines. The majority of beams (91.1%) were within the optimal limit of ≤ 3%. Only 13 beams (0.4%; n = 9 electrons; n = 4 photons), were out of the range of acceptance of ≤ 5%. Previous reviews reported a much higher percentage of 2.5% or more of the BOAs with >5% deviation.The majority of EORTC centres present beam output variations within the 3% tolerance cutoff value and only 0.4% of audited beams presented with variations of more than 5%. This is an important improvement compared to previous BOA results.

  10. Digital Mapping, Charting and Geodesy Data Standardization

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1994-12-19

    The primary objective of the audit was to evaluate DMA’s implementation of the Defense Standardization Program. Specifically, the audit determined...interoperability of digital MC&G data. The audit also evaluated DMA’s implementation of the DoD Internal Management Control Program as it pertains to DMA’S implementation of the Defense Standardization Program.

  11. HSE auditing

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Herwaarden, A.J.F. van; Sykes, R.M.

    1996-12-31

    Shell International Exploration and Production (SIEP) commenced a programme of Health Safety and Environmental (HSE) auditing in its Operating Companies (Opcos) in the late 1970s. Audits in the initial years focused on safety aspects with environmental and occupational aspects being introduced as the process matured. Part of the audit programme is performed by SIEP auditors, external to the Opcos. The level of SIEP-led audit activity increased linearly until the late 1980s, since when a level of around 40 Audits per year has been maintained in roughly as many companies. For the last 15 years each annual programme has included structuredmore » audits of all facets of EP operations. The frequency and duration of these audits have the principle objective of auditing all HSE critical processes of each Opco`s activity, within each five-year cycle. Durations vary from 8-10 days with a 4 person team to 18-20 days with a 6-8 person team. Each audit returns a satisfactory or unsatisfactory rating based on analysis of the effectiveness of the so-called eleven principles of Enhanced Safety Management (ESM) required to be applied throughout the Group. Independence is maintained by the SIEP audit leader, who carries ultimate responsibility for the content and wording of each report, where necessary backed-up by senior management in SIEP. These SIEP-led audits have been successful in the following areas: (1) Provision of early warning in areas where facilities integrity or HSE management was likely to be compromised. (2) Aiding the establishment of an internal HSE auditing process in many Opcos. (3) Training, through participation in audits, not only auditors, but also prospective line managers in the effective management of HSE. With the recent introduction of HSE Management Systems (HSE-MS) in many Opcos, auditing is now in the process of controlled evolution from ESM to HSE-MS based.« less

  12. Reviewing audit: barriers and facilitating factors for effective clinical audit.

    PubMed

    Johnston, G; Crombie, I K; Davies, H T; Alder, E M; Millard, A

    2000-03-01

    To review the literature on the benefits and disadvantages of clinical and medical audit, and to assess the main facilitators and barriers to conducting the audit process. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken through a thorough review of Medline and CINAHL databases using the keywords of "audit", "audit of audits", and "evaluation of audits" and a handsearch of the indexes of relevant journals for key papers. Findings from 93 publications were reviewed. These ranged from single case studies of individual audit projects through retrospective reviews of departmental audit programmes to studies of interface projects between primary and secondary care. The studies reviewed incorporated the experiences of a wide variety of clinicians, from medical consultants to professionals allied to medicine and from those involved in unidisciplinary and multidisciplinary ventures. Perceived benefits of audit included improved communication among colleagues and other professional groups, improved patient care, increased professional satisfaction, and better administration. Some disadvantages of audit were perceived as diminished clinical ownership, fear of litigation, hierarchical and territorial suspicions, and professional isolation. The main barriers to clinical audit can be classified under five main headings. These are lack of resources, lack of expertise or advice in project design and analysis, problems between groups and group members, lack of an overall plan for audit, and organisational impediments. Key facilitating factors to audit were also identified: they included modern medical records systems, effective training, dedicated staff, protected time, structured programmes, and a shared dialogue between purchasers and providers. Clinical audit can be a valuable assistance to any programme which aims to improve the quality of health care and its delivery. Yet without a coherent strategy aimed at nurturing effective audits, valuable opportunities will be lost

  13. 17 CFR 240.13b2-2 - Representations and conduct in connection with the preparation of required reports and documents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... misleading” include, but are not limited to, actions taken at any time with respect to the professional... material violations of generally accepted accounting principles, generally accepted auditing standards, or other professional or regulatory standards); (ii) Not to perform audit, review or other procedures...

  14. 17 CFR 240.13b2-2 - Representations and conduct in connection with the preparation of required reports and documents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... misleading” include, but are not limited to, actions taken at any time with respect to the professional... material violations of generally accepted accounting principles, generally accepted auditing standards, or other professional or regulatory standards); (ii) Not to perform audit, review or other procedures...

  15. 17 CFR 240.13b2-2 - Representations and conduct in connection with the preparation of required reports and documents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... misleading” include, but are not limited to, actions taken at any time with respect to the professional... material violations of generally accepted accounting principles, generally accepted auditing standards, or other professional or regulatory standards); (ii) Not to perform audit, review or other procedures...

  16. 17 CFR 240.13b2-2 - Representations and conduct in connection with the preparation of required reports and documents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... misleading” include, but are not limited to, actions taken at any time with respect to the professional... material violations of generally accepted accounting principles, generally accepted auditing standards, or other professional or regulatory standards); (ii) Not to perform audit, review or other procedures...

  17. 17 CFR 240.13b2-2 - Representations and conduct in connection with the preparation of required reports and documents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... misleading” include, but are not limited to, actions taken at any time with respect to the professional... material violations of generally accepted accounting principles, generally accepted auditing standards, or other professional or regulatory standards); (ii) Not to perform audit, review or other procedures...

  18. Death certification: an audit of practice entering the 21st century

    PubMed Central

    Swift, B; West, K

    2002-01-01

    Aims: Death certification, a legal duty of doctors, continues to be poorly performed despite Royal College recommendations and increased education at an undergraduate level. Therefore, the current performance of certifying doctors was audited within a large teaching hospital entering the new century. Methods: A total of 1000 completed certificate counterfoils were examined retrospectively for appropriateness of completion and the ability to construct a logical cause of death cascade. Results: Only 55% of certificates were completed to a minimally accepted standard, and many of these failed to provide relevant information to allow adequate ICD-10 coding. Nearly 10% were completed to a poor standard, being illogical or inappropriately completed. Conclusions: The results show no improvement in the state of certification. Possible interventions to improve outcomes are discussed; however, in light of a recent high profile legal case a current Home Office review of death certification may suggest the passing of statutory law to ensure accurate completion. PMID:11919211

  19. Data Acceptance Criteria for Standardized Human-Associated Fecal Source Identification Quantitative Real-Time PCR Methods.

    PubMed

    Shanks, Orin C; Kelty, Catherine A; Oshiro, Robin; Haugland, Richard A; Madi, Tania; Brooks, Lauren; Field, Katharine G; Sivaganesan, Mano

    2016-05-01

    There is growing interest in the application of human-associated fecal source identification quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) technologies for water quality management. The transition from a research tool to a standardized protocol requires a high degree of confidence in data quality across laboratories. Data quality is typically determined through a series of specifications that ensure good experimental practice and the absence of bias in the results due to DNA isolation and amplification interferences. However, there is currently a lack of consensus on how best to evaluate and interpret human fecal source identification qPCR experiments. This is, in part, due to the lack of standardized protocols and information on interlaboratory variability under conditions for data acceptance. The aim of this study is to provide users and reviewers with a complete series of conditions for data acceptance derived from a multiple laboratory data set using standardized procedures. To establish these benchmarks, data from HF183/BacR287 and HumM2 human-associated qPCR methods were generated across 14 laboratories. Each laboratory followed a standardized protocol utilizing the same lot of reference DNA materials, DNA isolation kits, amplification reagents, and test samples to generate comparable data. After removal of outliers, a nested analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to establish proficiency metrics that include lab-to-lab, replicate testing within a lab, and random error for amplification inhibition and sample processing controls. Other data acceptance measurements included extraneous DNA contamination assessments (no-template and extraction blank controls) and calibration model performance (correlation coefficient, amplification efficiency, and lower limit of quantification). To demonstrate the implementation of the proposed standardized protocols and data acceptance criteria, comparable data from two additional laboratories were reviewed. The data acceptance criteria

  20. 75 FR 52860 - Final Airworthiness Design Standards for Acceptance Under the Primary Category Rule; Orlando...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-08-30

    ...., wish to apply these airworthiness design standards to other airplane models, OHA, Inc. must submit a... affects only certain airworthiness design standards on Cessna model C172I, C172K, C172L, C172M airplanes... Design Standards for Acceptance Under the Primary Category Rule; Orlando Helicopter Airways (OHA), Inc...

  1. [Audit of general hospitals and private surgical clinics in Israel].

    PubMed

    Freund, Ruth; Dor, Michael; Lotan, Yoram; Haver, Eitan

    2007-12-01

    Supervision and inspection of medical facilities are among the responsibilities of the Ministry of Health (MOH) anchored in the "Public Health Act 1940". In order to implement the law, the General Medical Division of the MOH began the process of auditing hospitals and private surgical clinics prior to considering the reissue of their license. The audit aimed to implement the law, activate supervision on general hospitals and private surgical clinics, provide feed-back to the audited institution and upgrade quality assurance, regulate medical activities according to the activities elaborated in the license and recommend the license renewal. Prior to the audits, 20 areas of activity were chosen for inspection. For each activity a check list was developed as a tool for inspection. Each area was inspected during a 4-5 hour visit by a MOH expert, accompanied by the local service manager in the institution under inspection. A comprehensive report, summarizing the findings was sent to the medical institute, requesting correction in those areas where improvements were needed. Recommendation for license renewal was sent to the Director of Licensing Division Ministry of Health. Between June 2003 and July 2006, 91 structured audits took place. A total of 47 general hospitals and 24 private surgical clinics were visited at least once. Most general hospitals were found abiding, functioning according to the required standards and eligible for license renewal. Licenses of institutions that complied with the standards determined by the audit teams, were renewed. Two private hospitals in central Israel, that were given an overall poor evaluation, were issued with a temporary license and subsequently re-audited 4 times over the next two years. Generally, the standards in private surgical clinics were lower than those found in general public hospitals. In one clinic the license was not renewed, and in another an order was issued to cease surgical procedures requiring general

  2. Photovoltaic system criteria documents. Volume 6: Criteria for auditing photovoltaic system applications and experiments. Revision A

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Koenig, John C.; Billitti, Joseph W.; Tallon, John M.

    1980-01-01

    The criteria is defined for auditing photovoltaic system applications and experiments. The purpose of the audit is twofold: to see if the application is meeting its stated objectives and to measure the application's progress in terms of the National Photovoltaic Program's goals of performance, cost, reliability, safety, and socio-environmental acceptance. The information obtained from an audit will be used to assess the status of an application and to provide the Department of Energy with recommendations on the future conduct of the application. Those aspects are covered of a site audit necessary to produce a systematic method for the gathering of qualitative and quantitative data to measure the success of an application. A sequence of audit events and guidelines for obtaining the required information is presented.

  3. Psychometric properties of the AUDIT among men in Goa, India.

    PubMed

    Endsley, Paige; Weobong, Benedict; Nadkarni, Abhijit

    2017-10-01

    The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-item screening questionnaire used to detect alcohol use disorders. The AUDIT has been validated in only two studies in India and although it has been previously used in Goa, India, it has yet to be validated in that setting. In this paper, we aim to report data on the validity of the AUDIT for the screening of AUDs among men in Goa, India. Concurrent and convergent validity of the AUDIT were assessed against the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Scale (WHODAS) for alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, and functional status respectively through the secondary analysis of data from a community cohort of men from Goa, India. The AUDIT showed high internal reliability and acceptable criterion validity with adequate psychometric properties for the detection of alcohol abuse and dependence. However, all of the optimal cut-off points from ROC analyses were lower than the WHO recommended for identification of risk of all AUDs, with a score of 6-12 detecting alcohol abuse and 13 and higher alcohol dependence. In order to optimize the utility of the AUDIT, a lowered cut-off point for alcohol abuse and dependence is recommended for Goa, India. Further validation studies for the AUDIT should be conducted for continued validation of the tool in other parts of India. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. 46 CFR 164.019-7 - Non-standard components; acceptance criteria and procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Non-standard components; acceptance criteria and procedures. 164.019-7 Section 164.019-7 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED...) Outer Envelope Fabric (exterior fabrics on wearable PFDs); (ii) Cover Fabric (for throwable PFDs); (iii...

  5. 46 CFR 164.019-7 - Non-standard components; acceptance criteria and procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 6 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Non-standard components; acceptance criteria and procedures. 164.019-7 Section 164.019-7 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED...) Outer Envelope Fabric (exterior fabrics on wearable PFDs); (ii) Cover Fabric (for throwable PFDs); (iii...

  6. Improving patient safety through a clinical audit spiral: prevention of wrong tooth extraction in orthodontics.

    PubMed

    Anwar, H; Waring, D

    2017-07-07

    Introduction With an increasing demand to improve patient safety within the NHS, it is important to ensure that measures are undertaken to continually improve patient care. Wrong site surgery has been defined as a 'never event'. This article highlights the importance of preventing wrong tooth extraction within orthodontics through an audit spiral over five years investigating the accuracy and clarity of orthodontic extraction letters at the University Dental Hospital of Manchester.Aims To examine compliance with the standards for accuracy and clarity of extraction letters and the incidence of wrong tooth extractions, and to increase awareness of the errors that can occur with extraction letters and of the current guidelines.Method A retrospective audit was conducted examining extraction letters sent to clinicians outside the department.Results It can be seen there has been no occurrence of a wrong site tooth extraction. The initial audit highlighted issues in conformity, with it falling below expected standards. Cycle two generally demonstrated a further reduction in compliance. Cycle three appeared to result in an increase in levels of compliance. Cycles 4 and 5 have demonstrated gradual improvements. However, it is noteworthy that in all cycles the audit standards were still not achieved, with the exception of no incidences of the incorrect tooth being extracted.Conclusion This audit spiral demonstrates the importance of long term re-audit to aim to achieve excellence in clinical care. There has been a gradual increase in standards through each audit.

  7. [Blood transfusion audit methodology: the auditors, reference systems and audit guidelines].

    PubMed

    Chevrolle, F; Hadzlik, E; Arnold, J; Hergon, E

    2000-12-01

    The audit has become an essential aspect of the blood transfusion sector, and is a management tool that should be used judiciously. The main types of audit that can be envisaged in blood transfusion are the following: operational audit concerning a predetermined activity; systems quality audit; competence audit, combining the operational audit on a specific activity with quality management, e.g., laboratory accreditation; audit of the environmental management system; and social audit involving the organization of an activity and the management of human resources. However, the main type of audit considered in this article is the conformity audit, which in this context does not refer to internal control but to conformity with an internal guideline issued by the French National Blood Service. All audits are carried out on the basis of a predescribed method (contained in ISO 10 011). The audit is a system of investigation, evaluation and measurement, and also a means of continuous assessment and therefore improvement. The audit is based on set guidelines, but in fact consists of determining the difference between the directions given and what has actually been done. Auditing requires operational rigor and integrity, and has now become a profession in its own right.

  8. Audit: Auditing Service in the Department of the Army

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-12-16

    Organizations2 AAA/IR Notes: 1 Functional refers to Multilocation Audits conducted by U.S. Army Audit Agency and Internal Review. 2 Private Organizations...Army Regulation 36–5 Audit Auditing Service in the Department of the Army Headquarters Department of the Army Washington, DC 16 December 1991...FROM - TO) xx-xx-1997 to xx-xx-1997 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Auditing Service in the Department of the Army Unclassified 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT

  9. Audits of oncology units - an effective and pragmatic approach.

    PubMed

    Abratt, Raymond Pierre; Eedes, David; Bailey, Belinda; Salmon, Chris; Govender, Yogi; Oelofse, Ivan; Burger, Henriette

    2017-05-24

    Audits of oncology units are part of all quality-assurance programmes. However, they do not always come across as pragmatic and helpful to staff. To report on the results of an online survey on the usefulness and impact of an audit process for oncology units. Staff in oncology units who were part of the audit process completed the audit self-assessment form for the unit. This was followed by a visit to each unit by an assessor, and then subsequent personal contact, usually via telephone. The audit self-assessment document listed quality-assurance measures or items in the physical and functional areas of the oncology unit. There were a total of 153 items included in the audit. The online survey took place in October 2016. The invitation to participate was sent to 59 oncology units at which staff members had completed the audit process. The online survey was completed by 54 (41%) of the 132 potential respondents. The online survey found that the audit was very or extremely useful in maintaining personal professional standards in 89% of responses. The audit process and feedback was rated as very or extremely satisfactory in 80% and 81%, respectively. The self-assessment audit document was scored by survey respondents as very or extremely practical in 63% of responses. The feedback on the audit was that it was very or extremely helpful in formulating improvement plans in oncology units in 82% of responses. Major and minor changes that occurred as a result of the audit process were reported as 8% and 88%, respectively. The survey findings show that the audit process and its self- assessment document meet the aims of being helpful and pragmatic.

  10. The Royal College of Radiologists' audit of prostate brachytherapy in the year 2012.

    PubMed

    Stewart, A J; Drinkwater, K J; Laing, R W; Nobes, J P; Locke, I

    2015-06-01

    This audit provides a comprehensive overview of UK prostate brachytherapy practice in the year 2012, measured against existing standards, immediately before the introduction of new Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) guidelines. This audit allows comparison with European and North American brachytherapy practice and for the impact of the RCR 2012 guidelines to be assessed in the future. A web-based data collection tool was developed by the RCR Clinical Audit Committee and sent to audit leads at all cancer centres in the UK. Standards were developed based on available guidelines in use at the start of 2012 covering case mix and dosimetry. Further questions were included to reflect areas of anticipated change with the implementation of the 2012 guidelines. Audit findings were compared with similar audits of practice in Europe, the USA and Latin America. Forty-nine of 59 cancer centres submitted data. Twenty-nine centres reported carrying out prostate brachytherapy; of these, 25 (86%) provided data regarding the number of implants, staffing, dosimetry, medication and anaesthesia and follow-up. Audit standards achieved excellent compliance in most areas, although were low in post-implant dosimetry and in post-implant scanning at 30 days. This audit provides a comprehensive picture of prostate brachytherapy in the UK in 2012. Patterns of care of prostate brachytherapy are similar to practice in the USA and Europe. The number of prostate brachytherapy implants carried out in the UK has grown significantly since a previous RCR audit in 2005 and it is important that centres maintain minimum numbers of cases to ensure that experience can be maintained and compliance to guidelines achieved. Copyright © 2015 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Audit and Certification Process for Science Data Digital Repositories

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hughes, J. S.; Giaretta, D.; Ambacher, B.; Ashley, K.; Conrad, M.; Downs, R. R.; Garrett, J.; Guercio, M.; Lambert, S.; Longstreth, T.; Sawyer, D. M.; Sierman, B.; Tibbo, H.; Waltz, M.

    2011-12-01

    Science data digital repositories are entrusted to ensure that a science community's data are available and useful to users both today and in the future. Part of the challenge in meeting this responsibility is identifying the standards, policies and procedures required to accomplish effective data preservation. Subsequently a repository should be evaluated on whether or not they are effective in their data preservation efforts. This poster will outline the process by which digital repositories are being formally evaluated in terms of their ability to preserve the digitally encoded information with which they have been entrusted. The ISO standards on which this is based will be identified and the relationship of these standards to the Open Archive Information System (OAIS) reference model will be shown. Six test audits have been conducted with three repositories in Europe and three in the USA. Some of the major lessons learned from these test audits will be briefly described. An assessment of the possible impact of this type of audit and certification on the practice of preserving digital information will also be provided.

  12. Is audit research? The relationships between clinical audit and social-research.

    PubMed

    Hughes, Rhidian

    2005-01-01

    Quality has an established history in health care. Audit, as a means of quality assessment, is well understood and the existing literature has identified links between audit and research processes. This paper reviews the relationships between audit and research processes, highlighting how audit can be improved through the principles and practice of social research. The review begins by defining the audit process. It goes on to explore salient relationships between clinical audit and research, grouped into the following broad themes: ethical considerations, highlighting responsibilities towards others and the need for ethical review for audit; asking questions and using appropriate methods, emphasising transparency in audit methods; conceptual issues, including identifying problematic concepts, such as "satisfaction", and the importance of reflexivity within audit; emphasising research in context, highlighting the benefits of vignettes and action research; complementary methods, demonstrating improvements for the quality of findings; and training and multidisciplinary working, suggesting the need for closer relationships between researchers and clinical practitioners. Audit processes cannot be considered research. Both audit and research processes serve distinct purposes. Attention to the principles of research when conducting audit are necessary to improve the quality of audit and, in turn, the quality of health care.

  13. Quality assurance and the need to evaluate interventions and audit programme outcomes.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Min; Vaartjes, Ilonca; Klipstein-Grobusch, Kerstin; Kotseva, Kornelia; Jennings, Catriona; Grobbee, Diederick E; Graham, Ian

    2017-06-01

    Evidence-based clinical guidelines provide standards for the provision of healthcare. However, these guidelines have been poorly implemented in daily practice. Clinical audit is a quality improvement tool to promote quality of care in daily practice and to improve outcomes through the systematic review of care delivery and implementation of changes. A major priority in the management of subjects with cardiovascular disease (CVD) management is secondary prevention by controlling cardiovascular risk factors and providing appropriate medical treatment. Clinical audits can be applied to monitor modifiable risk factors and evaluate quality improvements of CVD management in daily practice. Existing clinical audits have provided an overview of the burden of risk factors in subjects with CVD and reflect real-world risk factor recording and management. However, consistent and representative data from clinic audits are still insufficient to fully monitor quality improvement of CVD management. Data are lacking in particular from low- and middle-income countries, limiting the evaluation of CVD management quality by clinical audit projects in many settings. To support the development of clinical standards, monitor daily practice performance, and improve quality of care in CVD management at national and international levels, more widespread clinical audits are warranted.

  14. 40 CFR 89.510 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 20 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. 89.510 Section 89.510... EMISSIONS FROM NEW AND IN-USE NONROAD COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES Selective Enforcement Auditing § 89.510...

  15. Comprehensive Auditing in Nuclear Medicine Through the International Atomic Energy Agency Quality Management Audits in Nuclear Medicine (QUANUM) Program. Part 1: the QUANUM Program and Methodology.

    PubMed

    Dondi, Maurizio; Torres, Leonel; Marengo, Mario; Massardo, Teresa; Mishani, Eyal; Van Zyl Ellmann, Annare; Solanki, Kishor; Bischof Delaloye, Angelika; Lobato, Enrique Estrada; Miller, Rodolfo Nunez; Paez, Diana; Pascual, Thomas

    2017-11-01

    An effective management system that integrates quality management is essential for a modern nuclear medicine practice. The Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has the mission of supporting nuclear medicine practice in low- and middle-income countries and of helping them introduce it in their health-care system, when not yet present. The experience gathered over several years has shown diversified levels of development and varying degrees of quality of practice, among others because of limited professional networking and limited or no opportunities for exchange of experiences. Those findings triggered the development of a program named Quality Management Audits in Nuclear Medicine (QUANUM), aimed at improving the standards of NM practice in low- and middle-income countries to internationally accepted standards through the introduction of a culture of quality management and systematic auditing programs. QUANUM takes into account the diversity of nuclear medicine services around the world and multidisciplinary contributions to the practice. Those contributions include clinical, technical, radiopharmaceutical, and medical physics procedures. Aspects of radiation safety and patient protection are also integral to the process. Such an approach ensures consistency in providing safe services of superior quality to patients. The level of conformance is assessed using standards based on publications of the IAEA and the International Commission on Radiological Protection, and guidelines from scientific societies such as Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM). Following QUANUM guidelines and by means of a specific assessment tool developed by the IAEA, auditors, both internal and external, will be able to evaluate the level of conformance. Nonconformances will then be prioritized and recommendations will be provided during an exit briefing. The

  16. One Continuous Auditing Practice in China: Data-oriented Online Auditing(DOOA)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Wei; Zhang, Jin-Cheng; Jiang, Yu-Quan

    Application of information technologies (IT) in the field of audit is worth studying. Continuous auditing (CA) is an active research domain in computer-assisted audit field. In this paper, the concept of continuous auditing is analyzed firstly. Then, based on analysis on research literatures of continuous auditing, technique realization methods are classified into embedded mode and separate mode. According to the condition of implementing online auditing in China, data-oriented online auditing (DOOA) used in China is also one of separate mode of continuous auditing. And the principle of DOOA is analyzed. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of DOOA are also discussed. Finally, advices to implement DOOA in China are given, and the future research topics related to continuous auditing are also discussed.

  17. 5 CFR 950.105 - Principal Combined Fund Organization (PCFO) responsibilities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ..., such as banking, auditing, reporting and distribution separate from the applicant's non-CFC operations... accepted accounting principles. (9) Submitting to the LFCC an audit of collections and disbursements for... accepted auditing standards and OPM guidance. (10) Absorbing the cost of any reproduction and/or reissuing...

  18. 17 CFR 230.502 - General conditions to be met.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... examined and reported on in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by an independent public... on in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by an independent public or certified... either event the information specified in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(C) of this section: (A) The issuer's...

  19. Adapting the World Federation for Medical Education standards for use in a self-audit of an eye care training programme.

    PubMed

    Tousignant, B; Du Toit, R

    2011-12-01

    In 2006, a Postgraduate Diploma in Eye Care (PGDEC) for mid-level health personnel was initiated in Papua New Guinea, in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand, the local government and Divine Word University. In the absence of national accreditation and with limited resources, an interim evaluation was needed. We adapted the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) standards to use in a self-audit to evaluate nine areas and 38 subareas of programme structure, processes and implementation. We developed a rating system: each area and subarea was scored for partial or complete attainment of basic or quality development levels. Ratings were referenced with supporting documents. Data were gathered internally, through document census and meetings between stakeholders. A qualitative and quantitative portrait emerged: all nine programme areas completely attained at least basic level and two completely attained the quality development level. Twenty-six (68%) subareas completely attained the quality development level. Key successes included the administration of the PGDEC, synergies between the partnership's stakeholders and its relationship with the public health system. This self-audit adapted from WFME standards provided a simple, yet systematic and largely objective evaluation. It proved beneficial to further develop the programme, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.

  20. John F. Kennedy Space Center, Safety, Reliability, Maintainability and Quality Assurance, Survey and Audit Program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1994-01-01

    This document is the product of the KSC Survey and Audit Working Group composed of civil service and contractor Safety, Reliability, and Quality Assurance (SR&QA) personnel. The program described herein provides standardized terminology, uniformity of survey and audit operations, and emphasizes process assessments rather than a program based solely on compliance. The program establishes minimum training requirements, adopts an auditor certification methodology, and includes survey and audit metrics for the audited organizations as well as the auditing organization.

  1. 46 CFR 8.250 - Acceptance of standards and functions delegated under existing regulations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... APPLICABLE TO THE PUBLIC VESSEL INSPECTION ALTERNATIVES Recognition of a Classification Society § 8.250 Acceptance of standards and functions delegated under existing regulations. (a) Classification society class... society has received authorization to conduct a related delegated function. (b) A recognized...

  2. 46 CFR 8.250 - Acceptance of standards and functions delegated under existing regulations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... APPLICABLE TO THE PUBLIC VESSEL INSPECTION ALTERNATIVES Recognition of a Classification Society § 8.250 Acceptance of standards and functions delegated under existing regulations. (a) Classification society class... society has received authorization to conduct a related delegated function. (b) A recognized...

  3. AUDIT, AUDIT-C, and AUDIT-3: drinking patterns and screening for harmful, hazardous and dependent drinking in Katutura, Namibia.

    PubMed

    Seth, Puja; Glenshaw, Mary; Sabatier, Jennifer H F; Adams, René; Du Preez, Verona; DeLuca, Nickolas; Bock, Naomi

    2015-01-01

    To describe alcohol drinking patterns among participants in Katutura, Namibia, and to evaluate brief versions of the AUDIT against the full AUDIT to determine their effectiveness in detecting harmful drinking. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in four constituencies and 639 participants, 18 years or older, completed a sociodemographic survey and the AUDIT. The effectiveness of the AUDIT-C (first three questions) and the AUDIT-3 (third question) was compared to the full AUDIT. Approximately 40% were identified as harmful, hazardous or likely dependent drinkers, with men having a higher likelihood than women (57.2% vs. 31.0%, p<.0001). Approximately 32% reported making and/or selling alcohol from home. The AUDIT-C performed best at a cutoff ≥ 3, better in men (sensitivity: 99.3%, specificity: 77.8%) than women (sensitivity: 91.7%, specificity: 77.4%). The AUDIT-3 performed poorly (maximum sensitivity: < 90%, maximum specificity: <51%). According to AUROC, the AUDIT-C performed better than the AUDIT-3. A large proportion of participants met criteria for alcohol misuse, indicating a need for screening and referral for further evaluation and intervention. The AUDIT-C was almost as effective as the full AUDIT and may be easier to implement in clinical settings as a routine screening tool in resource-limited settings because of its brevity.

  4. The Management of Patients with Depression In Primary Care: an Audit Review.

    PubMed

    Henfrey, Helen

    2015-09-01

    The IAPT scheme was introduced in 2007 to implement the recommendations from NICE guidelines regarding psychological therapy for depression. This retrospective audit carried out across two General Practice Surgeries evaluates the care being given in relation to the standards of NICE guidelines. Initial audit found variable concordance, however after discussion of this at a local audit meeting and the displaying of posters and leaflets detailing the IAPT scheme this was improved on re-audit. Training should be provided to General Practitioners regarding the standards of care for patients with low mood or depression. In this training there should be an emphasis on the role of psychological therapy and details given of local resources. Posters and leaflets should be clearly displayed to allow patients to self-refer to IAPT. A close watch must be given to waiting times for the IAPT service as demands increase.

  5. Ethics in Numbers: Auditing Cleft Treatment in Mexico and Beyond.

    PubMed

    Taylor-Alexander, Samuel

    2017-09-01

    Plastic surgeons around the globe are implementing projects that mix audit with medical research to ensure and improve the level of care offered to patients with cleft lip and palate. Drawing on recent literature on "audit culture" and the global growth of "performance indicators" as a form of governance, I demonstrate the conjugation of ethics and the production of numerical indicators in cleft treatment. By standardizing documentation, cleft treatment audit programs facilitate evidence-based medicine and a form of reflexive self-governance. However, the abstraction that accompanies standardization is amplified as corollary data practices travel. In emerging as the answer to improving treatment, these projects lock out the politico-economic factors that mediate medical care in resource poor settings. This danger is compounded by the tendency of numerical governance to replace political conversation with technocratic expertise. © 2016 by the American Anthropological Association.

  6. Internal Audit Manual.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-11-01

    multilocation audits because of the significant amount of planning, resources, and time they require, coordination of all review efforts shall be the...similar to the multilocation audits of the internal audit activities. f. The Military Department audit agencies and the Military Department criminal...34 -.° -.- . . °- . .. ?.. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. . . .. :2 DOD 7600.7-M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE( %INTERNAL AUDIT ~MANUAL Jq- OFFICE OF L- INSPECTOR GENERAL

  7. Charge auditing from a nursing perspective.

    PubMed

    Obert, S J

    1990-01-01

    Many third-party payors, which include commercial health and auto insurance companies and workmen's compensation carriers, are requesting access to their clients' itemized patient statements and medical records for verifying accuracy of charges and documentation of services rendered. If even a portion of the payment is withheld until the audit is completed, slowing of cash flow results. A slow cash flow may ultimately have profound effects on the quality, or even availability, of patient care. Hospitals are finding it cost effective to have someone within their institution audit patient accounts and medical records to identify problem areas that may result in denial of payment. Nurses are being recruited to perform these audits because of their knowledge of documentation standards and patient account charging procedures. With this background, the nurse auditor is also able to assess educational needs of the nursing staff and work collaboratively with other departments to correct deficiencies.

  8. Comprehensive Auditing in Nuclear Medicine Through the International Atomic Energy Agency Quality Management Audits in Nuclear Medicine Program. Part 2: Analysis of Results.

    PubMed

    Dondi, Maurizio; Torres, Leonel; Marengo, Mario; Massardo, Teresa; Mishani, Eyal; Van Zyl Ellmann, Annare; Solanki, Kishor; Bischof Delaloye, Angelika; Lobato, Enrique Estrada; Miller, Rodolfo Nunez; Ordonez, Felix Barajas; Paez, Diana; Pascual, Thomas

    2017-11-01

    The International Atomic Energy Agency has developed a program, named Quality Management Audits in Nuclear Medicine (QUANUM), to help its Member States to check the status of their nuclear medicine practices and their adherence to international reference standards, covering all aspects of nuclear medicine, including quality assurance/quality control of instrumentation, radiopharmacy (further subdivided into levels 1, 2, and 3, according to complexity of work), radiation safety, clinical applications, as well as managerial aspects. The QUANUM program is based on both internal and external audits and, with specifically developed Excel spreadsheets, it helps assess the level of conformance (LoC) to those previously defined quality standards. According to their level of implementation, the level of conformance to requested standards; 0 (absent) up to 4 (full conformance). Items scored 0, 1, and 2 are considered non-conformance; items scored 3 and 4 are considered conformance. To assess results of the audit missions performed worldwide over the last 8 years, a retrospective analysis has been run on reports from a total of 42 audit missions in 39 centers, three of which had been re-audited. The analysis of all audit reports has shown an overall LoC of 73.9 ± 8.3% (mean ± standard deviation), ranging between 56.6% and 87.9%. The highest LoC has been found in the area of clinical services (83.7% for imaging and 87.9% for therapy), whereas the lowest levels have been found for Radiopharmacy Level 2 (56.6%); Computer Systems and Data Handling (66.6%); and Evaluation of the Quality Management System (67.6%). Prioritization of non-conformances produced a total of 1687 recommendations in the final audit report. Depending on the impact on safety and daily clinical activities, they were further classified as critical (requiring immediate action; n = 276; 16% of the total); major (requiring action in relatively short time, typically from 3 to 6 months; n = 604

  9. AUDIT, AUDIT-C, and AUDIT-3: Drinking Patterns and Screening for Harmful, Hazardous and Dependent Drinking in Katutura, Namibia

    PubMed Central

    Seth, Puja; Glenshaw, Mary; Sabatier, Jennifer H. F.; Adams, René; Du Preez, Verona; DeLuca, Nickolas; Bock, Naomi

    2015-01-01

    Objectives To describe alcohol drinking patterns among participants in Katutura, Namibia, and to evaluate brief versions of the AUDIT against the full AUDIT to determine their effectiveness in detecting harmful drinking. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in four constituencies and 639 participants, 18 years or older, completed a sociodemographic survey and the AUDIT. The effectiveness of the AUDIT-C (first three questions) and the AUDIT-3 (third question) was compared to the full AUDIT. Results Approximately 40% were identified as harmful, hazardous or likely dependent drinkers, with men having a higher likelihood than women (57.2% vs. 31.0%, p<.0001). Approximately 32% reported making and/or selling alcohol from home. The AUDIT-C performed best at a cutoff ≥ 3, better in men (sensitivity: 99.3%, specificity: 77.8%) than women (sensitivity: 91.7%, specificity: 77.4%). The AUDIT-3 performed poorly (maximum sensitivity: < 90%, maximum specificity: <51%). According to AUROC, the AUDIT-C performed better than the AUDIT-3. Conclusions A large proportion of participants met criteria for alcohol misuse, indicating a need for screening and referral for further evaluation and intervention. The AUDIT-C was almost as effective as the full AUDIT and may be easier to implement in clinical settings as a routine screening tool in resource-limited settings because of its brevity. PMID:25799590

  10. Implementing iRound: A Computer-Based Auditing Tool.

    PubMed

    Brady, Darcie

    Many hospitals use rounding or auditing as a tool to help identify gaps and needs in quality and process performance. Some hospitals are also using rounding to help improve patient experience. It is known that purposeful rounding helps improve Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems scores by helping manage patient expectations, provide service recovery, and recognize quality caregivers. Rounding works when a standard method is used across the facility, where data are comparable and trustworthy. This facility had a pen-and-paper process in place that made data reporting difficult, created a silo culture between departments, and most audits and rounds were completed differently on each unit. It was recognized that this facility needed to standardize the rounding and auditing process. The tool created by the Advisory Board called iRound was chosen as the tool this facility would use for patient experience rounds as well as process and quality rounding. The success of the iRound tool in this facility depended on several factors that started many months before implementation to current everyday usage.

  11. Dosimetry audits and intercomparisons in radiotherapy: A Malaysian profile

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    M. Noor, Noramaliza; Nisbet, A.; Hussein, M.; Chu S, Sarene; Kadni, T.; Abdullah, N.; Bradley, D. A.

    2017-11-01

    Quality audits and intercomparisons are important in ensuring control of processes in any system of endeavour. Present interest is in control of dosimetry in teletherapy, there being a need to assess the extent to which there is consistent radiation dose delivery to the patient. In this study we review significant factors that impact upon radiotherapy dosimetry, focusing upon the example situation of radiotherapy delivery in Malaysia, examining existing literature in support of such efforts. A number of recommendations are made to provide for increased quality assurance and control. In addition to this study, the first level of intercomparison audit i.e. measuring beam output under reference conditions at eight selected Malaysian radiotherapy centres is checked; use being made of 9 μm core diameter Ge-doped silica fibres (Ge-9 μm). The results of Malaysian Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) participation in the IAEA/WHO TLD postal dose audit services during the period between 2011 and 2015 will also been discussed. In conclusion, following review of the development of dosimetry audits and the conduct of one such exercise in Malaysia, it is apparent that regular periodic radiotherapy audits and intercomparison programmes should be strongly supported and implemented worldwide. The programmes to-date demonstrate these to be a good indicator of errors and of consistency between centres. A total of ei+ght beams have been checked in eight Malaysian radiotherapy centres. One out of the eight beams checked produced an unacceptable deviation; this was found to be due to unfamiliarity with the irradiation procedures. Prior to a repeat measurement, the mean ratio of measured to quoted dose was found to be 0.99 with standard deviation of 3%. Subsequent to the repeat measurement, the mean distribution was 1.00, and the standard deviation was 1.3%.

  12. 40 CFR 86.610-98 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for Selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... level and passing and failing criteria for Selective Enforcement Audits. 86.610-98 Section 86.610-98... quality level and passing and failing criteria for Selective Enforcement Audits. (a) The prescribed acceptable quality level is 40 percent. (b) A failed vehicle is one whose final deteriorated test results...

  13. 40 CFR 86.610-98 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for Selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... level and passing and failing criteria for Selective Enforcement Audits. 86.610-98 Section 86.610-98... quality level and passing and failing criteria for Selective Enforcement Audits. (a) The prescribed acceptable quality level is 40 percent. (b) A failed vehicle is one whose final deteriorated test results...

  14. 40 CFR 86.610-98 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for Selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... level and passing and failing criteria for Selective Enforcement Audits. 86.610-98 Section 86.610-98... quality level and passing and failing criteria for Selective Enforcement Audits. (a) The prescribed acceptable quality level is 40 percent. (b) A failed vehicle is one whose final deteriorated test results...

  15. 40 CFR 86.610-98 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for Selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... level and passing and failing criteria for Selective Enforcement Audits. 86.610-98 Section 86.610-98... and passing and failing criteria for Selective Enforcement Audits. (a) The prescribed acceptable quality level is 40 percent. (b) A failed vehicle is one whose final deteriorated test results pursuant to...

  16. 40 CFR 86.610-98 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for Selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... level and passing and failing criteria for Selective Enforcement Audits. 86.610-98 Section 86.610-98... quality level and passing and failing criteria for Selective Enforcement Audits. (a) The prescribed acceptable quality level is 40 percent. (b) A failed vehicle is one whose final deteriorated test results...

  17. [Thoughts on the Witnessed Audit in Medical Device Single Audit Program].

    PubMed

    Wen, Jing; Xiao, Jiangyi; Wang, Aijun

    2018-02-08

    Medical Device Single Audit Program is one of the key projects in International Medical Device Regulators Forum, which has much experience to be used for reference. This paper briefly describes the procedures and contents of the Witnessed Audit in Medical Device Single Audit Program. Some revelations about the work of Witnessed Audit have been discussed, for reference by the Regulatory Authorities and the Auditing Organizations.

  18. Dosimetry for audit and clinical trials: challenges and requirements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kron, T.; Haworth, A.; Williams, I.

    2013-06-01

    Many important dosimetry audit networks for radiotherapy have their roots in clinical trial quality assurance (QA). In both scenarios it is essential to test two issues: does the treatment plan conform with the clinical requirements and is the plan a reasonable representation of what is actually delivered to a patient throughout their course of treatment. Part of a sound quality program would be an external audit of these issues with verification of the equivalence of plan and treatment typically referred to as a dosimetry audit. The increasing complexity of radiotherapy planning and delivery makes audits challenging. While verification of absolute dose delivered at a reference point was the standard of external dosimetry audits two decades ago this is often deemed inadequate for verification of treatment approaches such as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT). As such, most dosimetry audit networks have successfully introduced more complex tests of dose delivery using anthropomorphic phantoms that can be imaged, planned and treated as a patient would. The new challenge is to adapt this approach to ever more diversified radiotherapy procedures with image guided/adaptive radiotherapy, motion management and brachytherapy being the focus of current research.

  19. 12 CFR 715.2 - Definitions used in this part.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS) by an independent public accountant for the purpose of opining... approved and adopted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants which apply when an “independent, licensed certified public accountant” audits financial statements. Auditing standards differ from...

  20. Clinical governance and external audit.

    PubMed

    Glazebrook, S G; Buchanan, J G

    2001-01-01

    This paper describes a model of clinical governance that was developed at South Auckland Health during the period 1995 to 2000. Clinical quality and safety are core objectives. A multidisciplinary Clinical Board is responsible for the development and publicising of sound clinical policies together with monitoring the effects of their implementation on quality and safety. The Clinical Board has several committees, including an organization-wide Continuous Quality Improvement Committee to enhance the explicit nature of the quality system in terms of structure, staff awareness and involvement, and to develop the internal audit system. The second stream stems from the Chief Medical Officer and clinical directors in a clinical management sense. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors covers both clinical and financial audit. The reporting lines back to that committee are described and the role of the external auditor of clinical standards is explained. The aim has been to create a supportive culture where quality initiatives and innovation can flourish, and where the emphasis is not on censure but improvement.

  1. Melbourne vascular surgical association audit.

    PubMed

    Beiles, C Barry

    2003-01-01

    The formation of the Melbourne Vascular Surgical Association has led to the establishment of a vascular surgical audit programme that commenced in January 1999. This has allowed establishment of a benchmark for quality assurance in vascular surgery in Australia. A consultative process allowed widespread adoption of the audit across all public hospital vascular units in Melbourne and the two largest regional centres in Victoria. Data were collected at two points during admission: at operation and at discharge. Risk stratification, using logistic regression and risk-adjusted ratios for adverse events was assessed for comparison of outcomes between units for the first 3 years of data collection. There is regular contact with all participants for data feedback and quality control. The standard of vascular surgery across Victoria is consistent, and there has been excellent compliance by all academic vascular units. Private practice data are less complete, and only half of the vascular surgeons have participated. A statewide audit process is feasible and viable. Coordination by the Melbourne Vascular Surgical Association is crucial for its continued success.

  2. Audit of a Scientific Data Center for Certification as a Trustworthy Digital Repository: A Case Study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Downs, R. R.; Chen, R. S.

    2011-12-01

    Services that preserve and enable future access to scientific data are necessary to ensure that the data that are being collected today will be available for use by future generations of scientists. Many data centers, archives, and other digital repositories are working to improve their ability to serve as long-term stewards of scientific data. Trust in sustainable data management and preservation capabilities of digital repositories can influence decisions to use these services to deposit or obtain scientific data. Building on the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) Reference Model developed by the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) and adopted by the International Organization for Standardization as ISO 14721:2003, new standards are being developed to improve long-term data management processes and documentation. The Draft Information Standard ISO/DIS 16363, "Space data and information transfer systems - Audit and certification of trustworthy digital repositories" offers the potential to evaluate digital repositories objectively in terms of their trustworthiness as long-term stewards of digital resources. In conjunction with this, the CCSDS and ISO are developing another draft standard for the auditing and certification process, ISO/DIS 16919, "Space data and information transfer systems - Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of candidate trustworthy digital repositories". Six test audits were conducted of scientific data centers and archives in Europe and the United States to test the use of these draft standards and identify potential improvements for the standards and for the participating digital repositories. We present a case study of the test audit conducted on the NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) and describe the preparation, the audit process, recommendations received, and next steps to obtain certification as a trustworthy digital repository, after approval of the ISO/DIS standards.

  3. 45 CFR 98.65 - Audits and financial reporting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... shall provide access to appropriate books, documents, papers and records to allow the Secretary to... government auditing standards issued by the Comptroller General, or a public accountant who meets such...

  4. 45 CFR 98.65 - Audits and financial reporting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... shall provide access to appropriate books, documents, papers and records to allow the Secretary to... government auditing standards issued by the Comptroller General, or a public accountant who meets such...

  5. 45 CFR 98.65 - Audits and financial reporting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... shall provide access to appropriate books, documents, papers and records to allow the Secretary to... government auditing standards issued by the Comptroller General, or a public accountant who meets such...

  6. 45 CFR 98.65 - Audits and financial reporting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... shall provide access to appropriate books, documents, papers and records to allow the Secretary to... government auditing standards issued by the Comptroller General, or a public accountant who meets such...

  7. Energy audit role in building planning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sipahutar, Riman; Bizzy, Irwin

    2017-11-01

    An energy audit is one way to overcome the excessive use of energy in buildings. The increasing growth of population, economy, and industry will have an impact on energy demand and the formation of greenhouse gas emissions. Indonesian National Standard (SNI) concerning the building has not been implemented optimally due to the socialization process by a government not yet been conducted. An energy audit of buildings has been carried out at offices and public services. Most electrical energy in buildings used for air refresher equipment or air conditioning. Calculation of OTTV has demonstrated the importance of performing since the beginning of the planning of a building to get energy-efficient buildings.

  8. 30-days mortality in patients with perforated peptic ulcer: A national audit

    PubMed Central

    Nakano, Anne; Bendix, Jørgen; Adamsen, Sven; Buck, Daniel; Mainz, Jan; Bartels, Paul; Nørgård, Bente

    2008-01-01

    Background In 2005, The Danish National Indicator Project (DNIP) reported findings on patients hospitalized with perforated ulcer. The indicator “30-days mortality” showed major discrepancy between the observed mortality of 28% and the chosen standard (10%). Rationale An audit committee was appointed to examine quality problems linked to the high mortality. The purpose was to (i) examine patient characteristics, (ii) evaluate the appropriateness of the standard, and (iii) audit all cases of deaths within 30 days after surgery. Methods Four hundred and twelve consecutive patients were included and used for the analyses of patient characteristics. The evaluation of the standard was based on a literature review, and a structured audit was performed according to the 115 deaths that occurred. Results The mean age was 69.1 years, 42.0% had one co-morbid disease and 17.7% had two co-morbid diseases. 45.9% had an American Association of Anaesthetists score of 3–4. We found no results on mortality in studies similar to ours. The audit process indicated that the postoperative observation of patients was insufficient. Discussion As a result of this study, the standard for mortality was increased to 20%, and the new indicators for postoperative monitoring were developed. The DNIP continues to evaluate if these initiatives will improve the results on mortality. PMID:22312201

  9. Scholastic Audits. Research Brief

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Walker, Karen

    2009-01-01

    What is a scholastic audit? The purpose of the audit is to assist individual schools and districts improve. The focus is on gathering data and preparing recommendations that can be used to guide school improvement initiatives. Scholastic audits use a multi-step approach and include: (1) Preparing for the Audit; (2) Audit process; (3) Audit report;…

  10. Validation of Australian data in the Australasian Vascular Audit.

    PubMed

    Beiles, Charles Barry; Bourke, Bernie M

    2014-09-01

    Accuracy of data is important in any clinical audit. It is necessary to determine how complete the dataset is as well as the accuracy of the data that have been entered. The Australasian Vascular Audit has been operational for 4 years and a data validation process has been undertaken. An independent data source is available, which is collected by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. This collects all public and private hospital data and is available for interrogation. Similarly, private-only data are available from the Medicare website. This has been compared with the Australasian Vascular Audit dataset to establish completeness of data collection. Quality of data collected has been verified by comparing accuracy of data fields with that present in patient records in a 5% random sample. For the 2 years studied, there was a 63% capture rate in Australia for all patients. In the private sector, only 50% of patients were captured with a significant decrease noted in 2013. The quality of data entered had a 2.6% error rate. There is a need to increase compliance with vascular audit in Australia and data accuracy is acceptable but could be improved. © 2014 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

  11. Mixed methods evaluation of a quality improvement and audit tool for nurse-to-nurse bedside clinical handover in ward settings.

    PubMed

    Redley, Bernice; Waugh, Rachael

    2018-04-01

    Nurse bedside handover quality is influenced by complex interactions related to the content, processes used and the work environment. Audit tools are seldom tested in 'real' settings. Examine the reliability, validity and usability of a quality improvement tool for audit of nurse bedside handover. Naturalistic, descriptive, mixed-methods. Six inpatient wards at a single large not-for-profit private health service in Victoria, Australia. Five nurse experts and 104 nurses involved in 199 change-of-shift bedside handovers. A focus group with experts and pilot test were used to examine content and face validity, and usability of the handover audit tool. The tool was examined for inter-rater reliability and usability using observation audits of handovers across six wards. Data were collected in 2013-2014. Two independent observers for 72 audits demonstrated acceptable inter-observer agreement for 27 (77%) items. Reliability was weak for items examining the handover environment. Seventeen items were not observed reflecting gaps in practices. Across 199 observation audits, gaps in nurse bedside handover practice most often related to process and environment, rather than content items. Usability was impacted by high observer burden, familiarity and non-specific illustrative behaviours. The reliability and validity of most items to audit handover content was acceptable. Gaps in practices for process and environment items were identified. Context specific exemplars and reducing the items used at each handover audit can enhance usability. Further research is needed to develop context specific exemplars and undertake additional reliability testing using a wide range of handover settings. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. 75 FR 59331 - Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rules on Auditing...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-27

    ... risk is a function of the effectiveness of the design and operation of internal control. 8. Inherent... integrated audit of financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, the requirements in Auditing Standard No. 5, An Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting That Is Integrated with An...

  13. 49 CFR 1200.2 - Adoption of generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Financial Accounting Standards...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... principles issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). 1200.2 Section 1200.2 Transportation... COMMERCE ACT § 1200.2 Adoption of generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Financial... Financial Accounting Standards by the FASB, and provided that the Office of Economics, Environmental...

  14. 49 CFR 1200.2 - Adoption of generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Financial Accounting Standards...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... principles issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). 1200.2 Section 1200.2 Transportation... COMMERCE ACT § 1200.2 Adoption of generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Financial... Financial Accounting Standards by the FASB, and provided that the Office of Economics, Environmental...

  15. Safety Auditing and Assessments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Goodin, James Ronald (Ronnie)

    2005-01-01

    Safety professionals typically do not engage in audits and independent assessments with the vigor as do our quality brethren. Taking advantage of industry and government experience conducting value added Independent Assessments or Audits benefits a safety program. Most other organizations simply call this process "internal audits." Sources of audit training are presented and compared. A relation of logic between audit techniques and mishap investigation is discussed. An example of an audit process is offered. Shortcomings and pitfalls of auditing are covered.

  16. Safety Auditing and Assessments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goodin, Ronnie

    2005-12-01

    Safety professionals typically do not engage in audits and independent assessments with the vigor as do our quality brethren. Taking advantage of industry and government experience conducting value added Independent Assessments or Audits benefits a safety program. Most other organizations simply call this process "internal audits." Sources of audit training are presented and compared. A relation of logic between audit techniques and mishap investigation is discussed. An example of an audit process is offered. Shortcomings and pitfalls of auditing are covered.

  17. Quality improvement for patients with hip fracture: experience from a multi-site audit.

    PubMed

    Freeman, C; Todd, C; Camilleri-Ferrante, C; Laxton, C; Murrell, P; Palmer, C R; Parker, M; Payne, B; Rushton, N

    2002-09-01

    The first East Anglian audit of hip fracture was conducted in eight hospitals during 1992. There were significant differences between hospitals in 90-day mortality, development of pressure sores, median lengths of hospital stay, and in most other process measures. Only about half the survivors recovered their pre-fracture physical function. A marked decrease in physical function (for 31%) was associated with postoperative complications. A re-audit was conducted in 1997 as part of a process of continuing quality improvement. This was an interview and record based prospective audit of process and outcome of care with 3 month follow up. Seven hospitals with trauma orthopaedic departments took part in both audits. Results from the 1992 audit and indicator standards for re-audit were circulated to all orthopaedic consultants, care of the elderly consultants, and lead audit facilitators at each hospital. Processes likely to reduce postoperative complications and improve patient outcomes at 90 days. As this was a multi-site audit, the project group had no direct power to bring about changes within individual NHS hospital trusts. Significant increases were seen in pharmaceutical thromboembolic prophylaxis (from 45% to 81%) and early mobilisation (from 56% to 70%) between 1992 and 1997. There were reduced levels of pneumonia, wound infection, pressure sores, and fatal pulmonary embolism, but no change was recorded in 3 month functional outcomes or mortality. While some hospitals had made improvements in care by 1997, others were failing to maintain their level of good practice. This highlights the need for continuous quality improvement by repeating the audit cycle in order to reach and then improve standards. Rehabilitation and long term support to improve functional outcomes are key areas for future audit and research.

  18. Time to audit.

    PubMed

    Smyth, L G; Martin, Z; Hall, B; Collins, D; Mealy, K

    2012-09-01

    Public and political pressures are increasing on doctors and in particular surgeons to demonstrate competence assurance. While surgical audit is an integral part of surgical practice, its implementation and delivery at a national level in Ireland is poorly developed. Limits to successful audit systems relate to lack of funding and administrative support. In Wexford General Hospital, we have a comprehensive audit system which is based on the Lothian Surgical Audit system. We wished to analyse the amount of time required by the Consultant, NCHDs and clerical staff on one surgical team to run a successful audit system. Data were collected over a calendar month. This included time spent coding and typing endoscopy procedures, coding and typing operative procedures, and typing and signing discharge letters. The total amount of time spent to run the audit system for one Consultant surgeon for one calendar month was 5,168 min or 86.1 h. Greater than 50% of this time related to work performed by administrative staff. Only the intern and administrative staff spent more than 5% of their working week attending to work related to the audit. An integrated comprehensive audit system requires a very little time input by Consultant surgeons. Greater than 90% of the workload in running the audit was performed by the junior house doctors and administrative staff. The main financial implications for national audit implementation would relate to software and administrative staff recruitment. Implementation of the European Working Time Directive in Ireland may limit the time available for NCHD's to participate in clinical audit.

  19. Renal biopsies in children: current practice and audit of outcomes.

    PubMed

    Hussain, Farida; Mallik, Meeta; Marks, Stephen D; Watson, Alan R

    2010-02-01

    There is considerable variation in the way that children are prepared for and the techniques employed in a renal biopsy. There was national agreement between UK paediatric renal centres to review current practice and audit outcomes An initial questionnaire survey was undertaken and a 12-month prospective audit performed of renal biopsies against agreed standards for the number of needle passes, adequacy of biopsy material and complication rates. Eleven of 13 centres participated. Information leaflets are sent pre-biopsy in five centres with only one using play preparation. Six of 11 routinely perform biopsies as day-case (DC) procedures and 6 use general anaesthesia (GA). Real-time ultrasound is the favoured method in eight centres. Biopsies are performed by nephrologists only in four centres, nephrologists with radiologists in five and radiology alone in two. Of 531 biopsies (352 native), 31% were performed as a DC with 49% being done under GA. The standard for the number of passes of native kidneys (standard of standard >95%). The major complication rate was higher than the standard of audit highlights significant variation in clinical practice with limited use of preparation materials and DC procedures. The results have stimulated constructive debate about preparation and indications for biopsy and training issues. The audit enables centres and individuals to monitor performance.

  20. 77 FR 57407 - Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rules on Auditing...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-17

    ... Vol. 77 Monday, No. 180 September 17, 2012 Part IV Securities and Exchange Commission Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rules on Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications With Audit Committees and Related and Transitional Amendments to PCAOB Standards; Notice #0;#0;Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 180 / Monday,...

  1. Criteria-based audit to improve a district referral system in Malawi: a pilot study.

    PubMed

    Kongnyuy, Eugene J; Mlava, Grace; van den Broek, Nynke

    2008-09-22

    To study the feasibility of using criteria-based audit to improve a district referral system. A criteria-based audit was used to assess the Salima District referral system in Malawi. A retrospective review of 60 obstetric emergencies referred from 12 health centres was conducted and compared with prior established standards for optimal referral of emergencies. Recommendations were made and implemented. Three months later, a re-audit was conducted (62 cases). There were significant improvements in 4 out of 7 standards: adequate resuscitation before referral (33.3% vs 88.7%; p = 0.001); delay of less than 2 hours from the time the ambulance is called to when the ambulance brought the patient to the hospital (42.8% vs 88.3%; p = 0.014); clinician attends to patient within 30 minutes of arrival to hospital (30.8% vs 92.6%; p = 0.001) and feedback given to the referring health centres (1.7% vs 91.9%; p <0.001). The rest of the three standards showed a high level of attainment (>95%) in both the initial audit and the re-audit: referred patients accompanied by a referral form; ambulances are available at all times and the district hospital is informed through short-wave radio by the health centre when a patient is referred. Criteria-based audit can improve the ability of a district referral system to handle obstetric emergencies in countries with limited resources.

  2. British Orthodontic Society national audit of temporary anchorage devices (TADs): report of the first thousand TADs placed.

    PubMed

    Bearn, David R; Alharbi, Fahad

    2015-09-01

    To provide data from the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) national clinical audit on temporary anchorage device (TAD) use following the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NIHCE) Design and setting: The Audit commenced on 1 January 2008 and is still ongoing. This article reports the data for TADs placed from 1 January 2008 to 1 November 2013. Audit data was collected from participants using a system of both on-line data entry and hard copy forms. The criteria and standards for the audit were set following the NIHCE report in conjunction with the Development and Standards Committee of the BOS. Virtually all participants used the on-line data entry available on the BOS website. The data submitted was checked and entered manually into an Excel spreadsheet, and transferred to SPSS for analysis. Written information and documented discussion of risks were provided in over 90% of TADs placed, but 17.4% were placed without a specific signed consent form. Temporary anchorage device failure rate was 24.2% overall. Among failed TADs, 93.1% were lost or removed due to excess mobility. Infection or inflammation resulting in loss or removal was reported in 6% of TADs. The only audit standard that was met was failures due to infection of inflammation. The rest of the audit standards were not met. Recommendations are made to address these issues.

  3. Analysis of regional radiotherapy dosimetry audit data and recommendations for future audits

    PubMed Central

    Palmer, A; Mzenda, B; Kearton, J; Wills, R

    2011-01-01

    Objectives Regional interdepartmental dosimetry audits within the UK provide basic assurances of the dosimetric accuracy of radiotherapy treatments. Methods This work reviews several years of audit results from the South East Central audit group including megavoltage (MV) and kilovoltage (kV) photons, electrons and iodine-125 seeds. Results Apart from some minor systematic errors that were resolved, the results of all audits have been within protocol tolerances, confirming the long-term stability and agreement of basic radiation dosimetric parameters between centres in the audit region. There is some evidence of improvement in radiation dosimetry with the adoption of newer codes of practice. Conclusion The value of current audit methods and the limitations of peer-to-peer auditing is discussed, particularly the influence of the audit schedule on the results obtained, where no “gold standard” exists. Recommendations are made for future audits, including an essential requirement to maintain the monitoring of basic fundamental dosimetry, such as MV photon and electron output, but audits must also be developed to include new treatment technologies such as image-guided radiotherapy and address the most common sources of error in radiotherapy. PMID:21159805

  4. 30 CFR 253.27 - When I submit audited annual financial statements to verify my unencumbered assets, what...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... financial statements to verify my unencumbered assets, what standards must they meet? Any audited annual financial statements that you submit must: (a) Meet the standards in § 253.24; and (b) Include a certification by the independent accountant who audited the financial statements that states: (1) The value of...

  5. Audit on cardiovascular disease preventive care in general practice.

    PubMed

    Chan, S C; Lee, T W; Teoh, L C; Abdullah, Z C; Xavier, G; Sim, C K; Ng, A C; Ong, I C H; Begum, R; Leong, C C

    2008-04-01

    Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Primary care doctors as general practitioners (GPs) play a central role in prevention, as they are in contact with a large number of patients in the community through provision of first contact, comprehensive and continuing care. This study aims to assess the adequacy of cardiovascular disease preventive care in general practice through a medical audit. Nine GPs in Malaysia did a retrospective audit on the records of patients, aged 45 years and above, who attended the clinics in June 2005. The adequacy of cardiovascular disease preventive care was assessed using agreed criteria and standards. Standards achieved included blood pressure recording (92.4 percent), blood sugar screening (72.7 percent) and attaining the latest blood pressure of equal or less than 140/90 mmHg in hypertensive patients (71.3 percent). Achieved standards ranged from 11.1 percent to 66.7 percent in the maintenance of hypertension and diabetic registries, recording of smoking status, height and weight, screening of lipid profile and attaining target blood sugar levels in diabetics. In the nine general practice clinics audited, targets were achieved in three out of ten indicators of cardiovascular preventive care. There were vast differences among individual clinics.

  6. Using Audit Information to Adjust Parameter Estimates for Data Errors in Clinical Trials

    PubMed Central

    Shepherd, Bryan E.; Shaw, Pamela A.; Dodd, Lori E.

    2013-01-01

    Background Audits are often performed to assess the quality of clinical trial data, but beyond detecting fraud or sloppiness, the audit data is generally ignored. In earlier work using data from a non-randomized study, Shepherd and Yu (2011) developed statistical methods to incorporate audit results into study estimates, and demonstrated that audit data could be used to eliminate bias. Purpose In this manuscript we examine the usefulness of audit-based error-correction methods in clinical trial settings where a continuous outcome is of primary interest. Methods We demonstrate the bias of multiple linear regression estimates in general settings with an outcome that may have errors and a set of covariates for which some may have errors and others, including treatment assignment, are recorded correctly for all subjects. We study this bias under different assumptions including independence between treatment assignment, covariates, and data errors (conceivable in a double-blinded randomized trial) and independence between treatment assignment and covariates but not data errors (possible in an unblinded randomized trial). We review moment-based estimators to incorporate the audit data and propose new multiple imputation estimators. The performance of estimators is studied in simulations. Results When treatment is randomized and unrelated to data errors, estimates of the treatment effect using the original error-prone data (i.e., ignoring the audit results) are unbiased. In this setting, both moment and multiple imputation estimators incorporating audit data are more variable than standard analyses using the original data. In contrast, in settings where treatment is randomized but correlated with data errors and in settings where treatment is not randomized, standard treatment effect estimates will be biased. And in all settings, parameter estimates for the original, error-prone covariates will be biased. Treatment and covariate effect estimates can be corrected by

  7. Audits Made Simple

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Belangia, David Warren

    A company just got notified there is a big external audit coming in 3 months. Getting ready for an audit can be challenging, scary, and full of surprises. This Gold Paper describes a typical audit from notification of the intent to audit through disposition of the final report including Best Practices, Opportunities for Improvement (OFI), and issues that must be fixed. Good preparation can improve the chances of success. Ensuring the auditors understand the environment and requirements is paramount to success. It helps the auditors understand that the enterprise really does think that security is important. Understanding and following amore » structured process ensures a smooth audit process. Ensuring follow-up on OFIs and issues in a structured fashion will also make the next audit easier. It is important to keep in mind that the auditors will use the previous report as a starting point. Now the only worry is the actual audit and subsequent report and how well the company has done.« less

  8. 40 CFR 90.510 - Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 20 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective enforcement audits. 90.510 Section 90.510....510 Compliance with acceptable quality level and passing and failing criteria for selective...

  9. Assessing the work of medical audit advisory groups in promoting audit in general practice.

    PubMed

    Baker, R; Hearnshaw, H; Cooper, A; Cheater, F; Robertson, N

    1995-12-01

    Objectives--To determine the role of medical audit advisory groups in audit activities in general practice. Design--Postal questionnaire survey. Subjects--All 104 advisory groups in England and Wales in 1994. Main measures--Monitoring audit: the methods used to classify audits, the methods used by the advisory group to collect data on audits from general practices, the proportion of practices undertaking audit. Directing and coordinating audits: topics and number of practices participating in multipractice audits. Results--The response rate was 86-5%. In 1993-4, 54% of the advisory groups used the Oxfordshire or Kirklees methods for classifying audits, or modifications of them. 99% of the advisory groups collected data on audit activities at least once between 1991-2 and 1993-4. Visits, questionnaires, and other methods were used to collect information from all or samples of practices in each of the advisory group's areas. Some advisory groups used different methods in different years. In 1991-2, 57% of all practices participated in some audit, in 1992-3, 78%, and in 1993-4, 86%. 428 multipractice audits were identified. The most popular topic was diabetes. Conclusions--Advisory groups have been active in monitoring audit in general practice. However, the methods used to classify and collect information about audits in general practices varied widely. The number of practices undertaking audit increased between 1991-2 and 1993 1. The large number of multipractice audits supports the view that the advisory groups have directed and coordinated audit activities. This example of a national audit programme for general practice may be helpful in other countries in which the introduction of quality assurance is being considered.

  10. On the potential cost effectiveness of scientific audits.

    PubMed

    Click, J L

    1989-09-01

    inefficient process for uncovering scientific fraud (5, 6, 9). Data from a survey of university scientists was also presented, indicating ". . . a reluctance to take prompt, corrective action not only when an investigator suspects another of misconduct but also should the investigator discover flaws in his or her own published reports-whether the flaws were the result of honest error or fraud"; (10). The uncritical acceptance by established scientists that the self-correcting process works compounds the problem. The Editor of Science has written that";. . . 99.9999 percent of reports are accurate and truthful. . ."; (8). If indeed only 0.0001% of published reports were inaccurate or untruthful, there would be little justification for scientific audits. However, congressional testimony from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed that";. . . the NIH Director's office has handled an average of 15-20 allegations and reports of misconduct annually in its extramural programs, which supports the work of approximately 50,000 scientists"; (11). As I shall attempt to demonstrate, since NIH alone receives fraud-related complaints concerning the work of at least 0.03% of scientists it supports in other institutions, and since evidence indicates that the incidence of fraud is considerably greater than 0.03% (10, 12), the need to audit data is justifiable on the basis of being cost effective.

  11. Expediting the Quest for Quality: The Role of IQAC in Academic Audit

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nitonde, Rohidas

    2016-01-01

    Academic Audit is an important tool to control and maintain standards in academic sector. It has been found highly relevant by the experts across the world. Academic audit helps institutions to introspect and improve their quality. The present paper intends to probe into the possible role of Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) in Academic Audit…

  12. Audit of Orthopaedic Audits in an English Teaching Hospital: Are We Closing the Loop?

    PubMed Central

    Iqbal, H.J; Pidikiti, P

    2010-01-01

    Background: Clinical audit is an important tool to improve patient care and outcomes in health service. A significant proportion of time and economic resources are spent on activities related to clinical audit. Completion of audit cycle is essential to confirm the improvements in healthcare delivery. We aimed this study to evaluate audits carried out within trauma and orthopaedic unit of a teaching hospital over the last 4 years, and establish the proportions which were re-audited as per recommendations. Methods: Data was collected from records of the clinical audit department. All orthopaedic audit projects from 2005 to 2009 were included in this study. The projects were divided in to local, regional and national audits. Data regarding audit lead clinicians, completion and presentation of projects, recommendations and re-audits was recorded. Results: Out of 61 audits commenced during last four years, 19.7% (12) were abandoned, 72.1% (44) were presented and 8.2 % (5) were still ongoing. The audit cycle was completed in only 29% (13) projects. Conclusion: Change of junior doctors every 4~6 months is related to fewer re-audits. Active involvement by supervising consultant, reallocation of the project after one trainee has finished, and full support of audit department may increase the ratio of completion of audit cycles, thereby improving the patient care. PMID:20721318

  13. The ICA Communication Audit: Rationale and Development.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Goldhaber, Gerald M.

    After reviewing previous research on communication in organizations, the Organizational Communication Division of the International Communication Association (ICA) decided, in 1971, to develop its own measurement system, the ICA Communication Audit. Rigorous pilot-testing, refinement, standardization, and application would allow the construction…

  14. 19 CFR 24.13a - Car, compartment, and package seals; and fastenings; standards; acceptance by Customs.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 19 Customs Duties 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Car, compartment, and package seals; and... PROCEDURE § 24.13a Car, compartment, and package seals; and fastenings; standards; acceptance by Customs. (a) General standards. The seals and fastenings, together, shall (1) Be strong and durable; (2) Be capable of...

  15. Meta-audit of laboratory ISO accreditation inspections: measuring the old emperor's clothes.

    PubMed

    Wilson, Ian G; Smye, Michael; Wallace, Ian J C

    2016-02-01

    Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 is required for EC official food control and veterinary laboratories by Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004. Measurements in hospital laboratories and clinics are increasingly accredited to ISO/IEC 15189. Both of these management standards arose from command and control military standards for factory inspection during World War II. They rely on auditing of compliance and have not been validated internally as assessment bodies require of those they accredit. Neither have they been validated to criteria outside their own ideology such as the Cochrane principles of evidence-based medicine which might establish whether any benefit exceeds their cost. We undertook a retrospective meta-audit over 14 years of internal and external laboratory audits that checked compliance with ISO 17025 in a public health laboratory. Most noncompliances arose solely from clauses in the standard and would not affect users. No effect was likely from 91% of these. Fewer than 1% of noncompliances were likely to have consequences for the validity of results or quality of service. The ISO system of compliance auditing has the performance characteristics of a poor screening test. It adds substantially to costs and generates more noise (false positives) than informative signal. Ethical use of resources indicates that management standards should not be used unless proven to deliver the efficacy, effectiveness, and value required of modern healthcare interventions. © 2015 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  16. Completing the audit cycle: the outcomes of audits in mental health services.

    PubMed

    Balogh, R; Bond, S

    2001-04-01

    To assess how far those UK National Health Service mental health settings that tested, and prior to publication, used the Newcastle Clinical Audit Toolkit for Mental Health (NCAT) completed the audit cycle. Twelve clinical audit project reports, each focused on one of the five modules in the NCAT, from four rounds of activity over a 2-year period; clinical and managerial staff in the settings where audit projects had taken place. Interviews with audit project team members about the recommendations of the 12 audit project reports and about contextual issues; all projects had reported at least 2 years previously. In analysing the audit project outcomes, five categories of inaction were discernible and five further categories were needed to describe varying states of progress. It was necessary to discriminate between actions attributed to the NCAT audit projects and actions attributed mainly to other initiatives. In total, 26.4% of audit recommendations were still under discussion or in progress. A relatively low proportion of recommendations from audit report findings (34.7%) had been implemented, and these were divided almost equally between recommendations attributed to the NCAT projects (38) and those attributed to other initiatives in the organization (37). Investigation of the medium-term outcomes of clinical audit projects has provided an insight into what might usefully be termed the process of completing the audit cycle. The time-scales required to reach the point at which action is deemed to have been implemented or not may be as long as 3 years. Conceptualizing the action stage of the cycle as a single discrete event fails to do justice to the complexity of the process, and attributing the implementation of change in clinical settings to single causes such as individual audit projects is problematic.

  17. Audit Guidelines for 1989-90: Single Audit Act of 1984.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    South Carolina State Dept. of Education, Columbia.

    Single Audit Act of 1984 was passed to provide guidelines for organizationwide audits of federally funded programs. Explanatory notes for Educational Improvement Act (EIA) summer school accounting are given. Section 1 outlines audit requirements established for state and local governments that receive and administer federal assistance. An…

  18. Inconsistencies between alcohol screening results based on AUDIT-C scores and reported drinking on the AUDIT-C questions: prevalence in two US national samples

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    independent interview gold standard for unhealthy alcohol use and therefore cannot address how often observed inconsistencies represent false positive or negative screens. Conclusions Up to 21% of people who drink alcohol had alcohol screening results based on the AUDIT-C score that were inconsistent with reported drinking on the same AUDIT-C. This needs to be addressed when training clinicians to use the AUDIT-C. PMID:24468406

  19. AUDIT and AUDIT-C as screening instruments for alcohol problem use in adolescents.

    PubMed

    Liskola, Joni; Haravuori, Henna; Lindberg, Nina; Niemelä, Solja; Karlsson, Linnea; Kiviruusu, Olli; Marttunen, Mauri

    2018-07-01

    The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is commonly used in adults to screen for harmful alcohol consumption but few studies exist on its use among adolescents. Our aim was to validate the AUDIT and its derivative consumption questionnaire (AUDIT-C) as screening instruments for the detection of problem use of alcohol in adolescents. 621 adolescents (age-range, 12-19 years) were drawn from clinical and population samples who completed the AUDIT questionnaire. Psychiatric diagnoses were assessed using K-SADS-PL. A rating based on the K-SADS-PL was used to assess alcohol use habits, alcohol use disorders, screening and symptom criteria questions. Screening performance of the AUDIT and AUDIT-C sum scores and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated. The diagnostic odds ratios (dOR) were calculated to express the overall discrimination between cut-offs. Comparisons of ROC between the AUDIT and AUDIT-C pairs indicated a slightly better test performance by AUDIT for the whole sample and in a proportion of the subsamples. Optimal cut-off value for the AUDIT was ≥5 (sensitivity 0.931, specificity 0.772, dOR 45.22; 95% CI: 24.72-83.57) for detecting alcohol problem use. The corresponding optimal cut-off value for the AUDIT-C was ≥3 in detecting alcohol problem use (sensitivity 0.952, specificity 0.663, dOR 39.31; 95% CI: 19.46-78.97). Agreement between the AUDIT and AUDIT-C using these cut-off scores was high at 91.9%. Our results for the cut-off scores for the early detection of alcohol problem use in adolescents are ≥5 for AUDIT, and ≥3 for AUDIT-C. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Imminent Danger Pay: Actions Needed Regarding Pay Designations in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-01-30

    results of previous audits conducted on the data systems 1The source of this review is the Senate...locations within the CENTCOM area of responsibility. We conducted this performance audit from December 2012 to January 2014 in accordance with...generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to

  1. Treatment planning systems dosimetry auditing project in Portugal.

    PubMed

    Lopes, M C; Cavaco, A; Jacob, K; Madureira, L; Germano, S; Faustino, S; Lencart, J; Trindade, M; Vale, J; Batel, V; Sousa, M; Bernardo, A; Brás, S; Macedo, S; Pimparel, D; Ponte, F; Diaz, E; Martins, A; Pinheiro, A; Marques, F; Batista, C; Silva, L; Rodrigues, M; Carita, L; Gershkevitsh, E; Izewska, J

    2014-02-01

    The Medical Physics Division of the Portuguese Physics Society (DFM_SPF) in collaboration with the IAEA, carried out a national auditing project in radiotherapy, between September 2011 and April 2012. The objective of this audit was to ensure the optimal usage of treatment planning systems. The national results are presented in this paper. The audit methodology simulated all steps of external beam radiotherapy workflow, from image acquisition to treatment planning and dose delivery. A thorax CIRS phantom lend by IAEA was used in 8 planning test-cases for photon beams corresponding to 15 measuring points (33 point dose results, including individual fields in multi-field test cases and 5 sum results) in different phantom materials covering a set of typical clinical delivery techniques in 3D Conformal Radiotherapy. All 24 radiotherapy centers in Portugal have participated. 50 photon beams with energies 4-18 MV have been audited using 25 linear accelerators and 32 calculation algorithms. In general a very good consistency was observed for the same type of algorithm in all centres and for each beam quality. The overall results confirmed that the national status of TPS calculations and dose delivery for 3D conformal radiotherapy is generally acceptable with no major causes for concern. This project contributed to the strengthening of the cooperation between the centres and professionals, paving the way to further national collaborations. Copyright © 2013 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. 34 CFR 668.23 - Compliance audits and audited financial statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...” refers to an independent certified public accountant or a government auditor. To conduct an audit under... to records, audit work papers, or other documents necessary to review that audit, including the right to obtain copies of those records, work papers, or documents. (2) An institution must give the...

  3. 34 CFR 668.23 - Compliance audits and audited financial statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...” refers to an independent certified public accountant or a government auditor. To conduct an audit under... to records, audit work papers, or other documents necessary to review that audit, including the right to obtain copies of those records, work papers, or documents. (2) An institution must give the...

  4. 34 CFR 668.23 - Compliance audits and audited financial statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...” refers to an independent certified public accountant or a government auditor. To conduct an audit under... to records, audit work papers, or other documents necessary to review that audit, including the right to obtain copies of those records, work papers, or documents. (2) An institution must give the...

  5. 34 CFR 668.23 - Compliance audits and audited financial statements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...” refers to an independent certified public accountant or a government auditor. To conduct an audit under... to records, audit work papers, or other documents necessary to review that audit, including the right to obtain copies of those records, work papers, or documents. (2) An institution must give the...

  6. E-health internationalization requirements for audit purposes.

    PubMed

    Ouhbi, Sofia; Fernández-Alemán, José Luis; Carrillo-de-Gea, Juan Manuel; Toval, Ambrosio; Idri, Ali

    2017-06-01

    In the 21st century, e-health is proving to be one of the strongest drivers for the global transformation of the health care industry. Health information is currently truly ubiquitous and widespread, but in order to guarantee that everyone can appropriately access and understand this information, regardless of their origin, it is essential to bridge the international gap. The diversity of health information seekers languages and cultures signifies that e-health applications must be adapted to satisfy their needs. In order to achieve this objective, current and future e-health programs should take into account the internationalization aspects. This paper presents an internationalization requirements specification in the form of a reusable requirements catalog, obtained from the principal related standards, and describes the key methodological elements needed to perform an e-health software audit by using the internationalization knowledge previously gathered. S Health, a relevant, well-known Android application that has more than 150 million users in over 130 countries, was selected as a target for the e-health internationalization audit method and requirements specification presented above. This application example helped us to put into practice the proposal and show that the procedure is realistic and effective. The approach presented in this study is subject to continuous improvement through the incorporation of new knowledge originating from additional information sources, such as other standards or stakeholders. The application example is useful for early evaluation and serves to assess the applicability of the internationalization catalog and audit methodology, and to improve them. It would be advisable to develop of an automated tool with which to carry out the audit method. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Never audit alone--the case for audit teams.

    PubMed

    Adams, N H

    1999-01-01

    On-site audits, conducted by technical and quality assurance (QA) experts at the data-gathering location, are the core of an effective QA program. However, inadequate resources for such audits are the bane of a QA program and, frequently, the proposed solution is to send only one auditor to the study site. There are several reasons why audits should be performed by more than one person: 1. Audits of EPA projects frequently involve hazardous chemicals or other environmental hazards. They also often involve working after normal work hours in remote locations with dangerous equipment. It is unsafe to work alone under such conditions. 2. Skills: Many of EPA's projects are multidisciplinary, involving multiple measurements systems, several environmental media, and complex automated data collection and analysis systems. It is unlikely that one auditor would have the requisite skills to assess all of these operations. 3. Separateness: Two auditors can provide two (sometimes differing) perspectives on problems encountered during an audit. Two auditors can provide complementary expertise and work experience. Two auditors can provide twice the surveillance power. 4. Support: The operations that need to be assessed are sometimes in different parts of a site, requiring two auditing devices or considerable commuting time. Also, auditors are occasionally diverted by managers wishing to show their best efforts rather than the whole operation; if two auditors are on-site, one can interview managers while the other talks with technical staff. If there is a dispute, one auditor can support the other in verifying observations. 5. Savings: Although sending one auditor is perceived to be a cost-saving measure, it may be more economical to send two auditors. Time on site (lodging, food) is decreased, more of the project is assessed in one visit, less pre-audit training is required, and report preparation is accelerated. In summary, sending more than one auditor on a field audit is

  8. 12 CFR 989.1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... accountant in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards for the purpose of expressing an opinion thereon. Audit report means a document in which an independent accountant indicates the scope of the audit...

  9. Naval Audit Service: Effectiveness of Navy’s Internal Audit Organization is Limited.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-02-24

    reports were inaccurate or incomplete in reporting audit findings. Additionally, summary reports on multilocation audits con- tained findings not reported... Audit Reports 29 Deficiencies in Multilocation Audits 30 ; Deficiencies in Supervision 32 Conclusions 34 " Recommendations 34 Agency Comments and Our...Congress, the Sec- retary of the Navy, or the general public. After multilocation audits , NAS headquarters issues summary reports which consolidate the

  10. Issues in Humanoid Audition and Sound Source Localization by Active Audition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nakadai, Kazuhiro; Okuno, Hiroshi G.; Kitano, Hiroaki

    In this paper, we present an active audition system which is implemented on the humanoid robot "SIG the humanoid". The audition system for highly intelligent humanoids localizes sound sources and recognizes auditory events in the auditory scene. Active audition reported in this paper enables SIG to track sources by integrating audition, vision, and motor movements. Given the multiple sound sources in the auditory scene, SIG actively moves its head to improve localization by aligning microphones orthogonal to the sound source and by capturing the possible sound sources by vision. However, such an active head movement inevitably creates motor noises.The system adaptively cancels motor noises using motor control signals and the cover acoustics. The experimental result demonstrates that active audition by integration of audition, vision, and motor control attains sound source tracking in variety of conditions.onditions.

  11. Computerizing Audit Studies

    PubMed Central

    Lahey, Joanna N.; Beasley, Ryan A.

    2014-01-01

    This paper briefly discusses the history, benefits, and shortcomings of traditional audit field experiments to study market discrimination. Specifically it identifies template bias and experimenter bias as major concerns in the traditional audit method, and demonstrates through an empirical example that computerization of a resume or correspondence audit can efficiently increase sample size and greatly mitigate these concerns. Finally, it presents a useful meta-tool that future researchers can use to create their own resume audits. PMID:24904189

  12. Health plan auditing: 100-percent-of-claims vs. random-sample audits.

    PubMed

    Sillup, George P; Klimberg, Ronald K

    2011-01-01

    The objective of this study was to examine the relative efficacy of two different methodologies for auditing self-funded medical claim expenses: 100-percent-of-claims auditing versus random-sampling auditing. Multiple data sets of claim errors or 'exceptions' from two Fortune-100 corporations were analysed and compared to 100 simulated audits of 300- and 400-claim random samples. Random-sample simulations failed to identify a significant number and amount of the errors that ranged from $200,000 to $750,000. These results suggest that health plan expenses of corporations could be significantly reduced if they audited 100% of claims and embraced a zero-defect approach.

  13. A Multicentre Audit of Single-Use Surgical Instruments (SUSI) for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

    PubMed Central

    O'Flynn, P; Silva, S; Kothari, P; Persaud, R

    2007-01-01

    INTRODUCTION Prions are resistant to conventional sterilisation procedures and, therefore, could be transmitted iatrogenically through re-usable adenoid and tonsil surgical instruments. Using disposable instruments would avoid the risk of transmission. We present the results of a complete audit loop using BBraun single-use surgical instruments (SUSI). PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective multicentre audit. Surgeons were asked to fill in a standardised questionnaire recording details including postoperative complications, and evaluation of each piece of equipment compared with their own experience of conventional re-usable instruments. In the first cycle, constructive criticisms of the instruments were noted and the manufacturers modified the instruments accordingly. A second cycle of audit was subsequently undertaken. RESULTS A total of 86 patients were audited in the first cycle and 97 in the second cycle. Postoperative haemorrhage rate for both cycles was well within acceptable range. In the first audit cycle, surgeons generally found the Draffin rods, Boyle-Davis gag and bipolar diathermy forceps of poor quality and difficult to use. These were redesigned and, on repeat evaluation during the second audit cycle, were found to be just as good, if not better, than the re-usable instruments. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that SUSI may be just as good as re-usable instruments. Furthermore, they may be more cost effective. PMID:18201478

  14. [Introduction of Quality Management System Audit in Medical Device Single Audit Program].

    PubMed

    Wen, Jing; Xiao, Jiangyi; Wang, Aijun

    2018-01-30

    The audit of the quality management system in the medical device single audit program covers the requirements of several national regulatory authorities, which has a very important reference value. This paper briefly described the procedures and contents of this audit. Some enlightenment on supervision and inspection are discussed in China, for reference by the regulatory authorities and auditing organizations.

  15. Improving energy audit process and report outcomes through planning initiatives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sprau Coulter, Tabitha L.

    Energy audits and energy models are an important aspect of the retrofit design process, as they provide project teams with an opportunity to evaluate a facilities current building systems' and energy performance. The information collected during an energy audit is typically used to develop an energy model and an energy audit report that are both used to assist in making decisions about the design and implementation of energy conservation measures in a facility. The current lack of energy auditing standards results in a high degree of variability in energy audit outcomes depending on the individual performing the audit. The research presented is based on the conviction that performing an energy audit and producing a value adding energy model for retrofit buildings can benefit from a revised approach. The research was divided into four phases, with the initial three phases consisting of: 1.) process mapping activity - aimed at reducing variability in the energy auditing and energy modeling process. 2.) survey analysis -- To examine the misalignment between how industry members use the top energy modeling tools compared to their intended use as defined by software representatives. 3.) sensitivity analysis -- analysis of the affect key energy modeling inputs are having on energy modeling analysis results. The initial three phases helped define the need for an improved energy audit approach that better aligns data collection with facility owners' needs and priorities. The initial three phases also assisted in the development of a multi-criteria decision support tool that incorporates a House of Quality approach to guide a pre-audit planning activity. For the fourth and final research phase explored the impacts and evaluation methods of a pre-audit planning activity using two comparative energy audits as case studies. In each case, an energy audit professionals was asked to complete an audit using their traditional methods along with an audit which involved them first

  16. Experiences of using the GMP audit preparation tool in pharmaceutical contract manufacturer audits.

    PubMed

    Linna, Anu; Korhonen, Mirka; Airaksinen, Marja; Juppo, Anne Mari

    2010-06-01

    Use of external contractors is nowadays inevitable in the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore the amount of current good manufacturing practice audits has been increasing. During the audit, a large amount of items should be covered in a limited amount of time. Consequently, pharmaceutical companies should have systematic and effective ways to manage and prepare for the audits. This study is a continuation to the earlier study, where a tool for the preparation of cGMP audit was developed and its content was validated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the developed tool in audit preparation and during the actual cGMP audit. Three qualitative research methods were used in this study (observation, interviews, and opinion survey). First, the validity of the information given through the tool was examined by comparing the responses to the actual conditions observed during the contract manufacturer audits (n = 15). Additionally the opinions of the contract manufacturers of the tool were gathered (n = 10) and the auditors were interviewed (n = 2). The developed tool was proven to be useful in audit preparation phase from both the auditor's and the contract manufacturers' point of view. Furthermore, using the tool can also save some time when performing the audit. The results show that using the tool can give significant support in audit preparation phase and also during the actual audit.

  17. 10 CFR 603.645 - Periodic audits and award-specific audits of for-profit participants.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... amounts or adjusts performance outcomes. The periodic audit provides some assurance that the reported... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Periodic audits and award-specific audits of for-profit... Financial Matters § 603.645 Periodic audits and award-specific audits of for-profit participants. The...

  18. Could clinical audit improve the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in Cuba, Peru and Bolivia?

    PubMed

    Siddiqi, Kamran; Volz, Anna; Armas, L; Otero, L; Ugaz, R; Ochoa, E; Gotuzzo, E; Torrico, F; Newell, James N; Walley, J; Robinson, Mike; Dieltiens, G; Van der Stuyft, P

    2008-04-01

    To assess the effectiveness of clinical audit in improving the quality of diagnostic care provided to patients suspected of tuberculosis; and to understand the contextual factors which impede or facilitate its success. Twenty-six health centres in Cuba, Peru and Bolivia were recruited. Clinical audit was introduced to improve the diagnostic care for patients attending with suspected TB. Standards were based on the WHO and TB programme guidelines relating to the appropriate use of microscopy, culture and radiological investigations. At least two audit cycles were completed over 2 years. Improvement was determined by comparing the performance between two six-month periods pre- and post-intervention. Qualitative methods were used to ascertain facilitating and limiting contextual factors influencing change among healthcare professionals' clinical behaviour after the introduction of clinical audit. We found a significant improvement in 11 of 13 criteria in Cuba, in 2 of 6 criteria in Bolivia and in 2 of 5 criteria in Peru. Twelve out of 24 of the audit criteria in all three countries reached the agreed standards. Barriers to quality improvement included conflicting objectives for clinicians and TB programmes, poor coordination within the health system and patients' attitudes towards illness. Clinical audit may drive improvements in the quality of clinical care in resource-poor settings. It is likely to be more effective if integrated within and supported by the local TB programmes. We recommend developing and evaluating an integrated model of quality improvement including clinical audit.

  19. Junior doctors and clinical audit.

    PubMed

    Greenwood, J P; Lindsay, S J; Batin, P D; Robinson, M B

    1997-01-01

    To assess the extent of junior doctor involvement in clinical audit, the degree of support from audit staff, and the perceived value of the resulting audits. Postal survey of National Health Service (NHS) junior doctors. 704 junior doctors in central Leeds hospitals, June 1996. Questionnaires were returned by 232 respondents (33%), 211 (31%) were completed; 157 respondents (74%) had personally performed audit. Mean (+/- SD) duration since last audit project was 14.9 (14.1) (range 0-84) months. Of the respondents who had personally performed audit, 88 (56%) did not use the hospital audit department, 60 (38%) received no guidance and only 19 (12%) were involved in re-auditing the same project. Mean (+/- SD) time spent per audit project was 27.8 (37.7), (range 2-212) hours. Seventy-five junior doctors (48%) were aware of subsequent change in clinical practice, 41 (26%) perceived a negative personal benefit from audit, 33 (21%) perceived a negative departmental benefit, and 42 (27%) felt that audit was a waste of time. A large proportion of junior doctors are involved in audit projects that do not conform to established good practice and which have a low impact on clinical behaviour. Although junior doctors feel that there is inadequate assistance and poor supervision whilst performing audit, they still support the principle of audit. There is a need to improve the quality and supervision of audit projects performed by junior doctors.

  20. A New Tool for Quality: The Internal Audit.

    PubMed

    Haycock, Camille; Schandl, Annette

    As health care systems aspire to improve the quality and value for the consumers they serve, quality outcomes must be at the forefront of this value equation. As organizations implement evidence-based practices, electronic records to standardize processes, and quality improvement initiatives, many tactics are deployed to accelerate improvement and care outcomes. This article describes how one organization utilized a formal clinical audit process to identify gaps and/or barriers that may be contributing to underperforming measures and outcomes. This partnership between quality and audit can be a powerful tool and produce insights that can be scaled across a large health care system.

  1. Causes and temporal changes in nationally collected stillbirth audit data in high-resource settings.

    PubMed

    Norris, Tom; Manktelow, Bradley N; Smith, Lucy K; Draper, Elizabeth S

    2017-06-01

    Few high-income countries have an active national programme of stillbirth audit. From the three national programmes identified (UK, New Zealand, and the Netherlands) steady declines in annual stillbirth rates have been observed over the audit period between 1993 and 2014. Unexplained stillbirth remains the largest group in the classification of stillbirths, with a decline in intrapartum-related stillbirths, which could represent improvements in intrapartum care. All three national audits of stillbirths suggest that up to half of all reviewed stillbirths have elements of care that failed to follow standards and guidance. Variation in the classification of stillbirth, cause of death and frequency of risk factor groups limit our ability to draw meaningful conclusions as to the true scale of the burden and the changing epidemiology of stillbirths in high-income countries. International standardization of these would facilitate direct comparisons between countries. The observed declines in stillbirth rates over the period of perinatal audit, a possible consequence of recommendations for improved antenatal care, should serve to incentivise other countries to implement similar audit programmes. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. UK national audit against the key performance indicators in the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health Sexually Transmitted Infections Management Standards.

    PubMed

    McClean, H; Sullivan, A K; Carne, C A; Warwick, Z; Menon-Johansson, A; Clutterbuck, D

    2012-10-01

    A national audit of practice performance against the key performance indicators in the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and HIV Medical Foundation for AIDS Sexual Health Standards for the Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) was conducted in 2011. Approximately 60% and 8% of level 3 and level 2 services, respectively, participated. Excluding partner notification performance, the five lowest areas of performance for level 3 clinics were the STI/HIV risk assessment, care pathways linking care in level 2 clinics to local level 3 services, HIV test offer to patients with concern about STIs, information governance and receipt of chlamydial test results by clinicians within seven working days (the worst area of performance). The five lowest areas of performance for level 2 clinics were participating in audit, having an audit plan for the management of STIs for 2009-2010, the STI/HIV risk assessment, HIV test offer to patients with concern about STIs and information governance. The results are discussed with regard to the importance of adoption of the standards by commissioners of services because of their relevance to other national quality assurance drivers, and the need for development of a national system of STI management quality assurance measurement and reporting.

  3. Improving emergency physician performance using audit and feedback: a systematic review.

    PubMed

    Le Grand Rogers, R; Narvaez, Yizza; Venkatesh, Arjun K; Fleischman, William; Hall, M Kennedy; Taylor, R Andrew; Hersey, Denise; Sette, Lynn; Melnick, Edward R

    2015-10-01

    Audit and feedback can decrease variation and improve the quality of care in a variety of health care settings. There is a growing literature on audit and feedback in the emergency department (ED) setting. Because most studies have been small and not focused on a single clinical process, systematic assessment could determine the effectiveness of audit and feedback interventions in the ED and which specific characteristics improve the quality of emergency care. The objective of the study is to assess the effect of audit and feedback on emergency physician performance and identify features critical to success. We adhered to the PRISMA statement to conduct a systematic review of the literature from January 1994 to January 2014 related to audit and feedback of physicians in the ED. We searched Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases. We included studies that were conducted in the ED and reported quantitative outcomes with interventions using both audit and feedback. For included studies, 2 reviewers independently assessed methodological quality using the validated Downs and Black checklist for nonrandomized studies. Treatment effect and heterogeneity were to be reported via meta-analysis and the I2 inconsistency index. The search yielded 4332 articles, all of which underwent title review; 780 abstracts and 131 full-text articles were reviewed. Of these, 24 studies met inclusion criteria with an average Downs and Black score of 15.6 of 30 (range, 6-22). Improved performance was reported in 23 of the 24 studies. Six studies reported sufficient outcome data to conduct summary analysis. Pooled data from studies that included 41,124 patients yielded an average treatment effect among physicians of 36% (SD, 16%) with high heterogeneity (I2=83%). The literature on audit and feedback in the ED reports positive results for interventions across numerous clinical conditions but without standardized reporting sufficient for meta-analysis. Characteristics of audit and

  4. Development and implementation of an audit tool for quality control of parenteral nutrition.

    PubMed

    García-Rodicio, Sonsoles; Abajo, Celia; Godoy, Mercedes; Catalá, Miguel Angel

    2009-01-01

    The aim of this article is to describe the development of a quality control methodology applied to patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) and to present the results obtained over the past 10 years. Development of the audit tool: In 1995, a total of 13 PN quality criteria and their standards were defined based on literature and past experiences. They were applied during 5 different 6-month audits carried out in subsequent years. According to the results of each audit, the criteria with lower validity were eliminated, while others were optimized and new criteria were introduced to complete the monitoring of other areas not previously examined. Currently, the quality control process includes 22 quality criteria and their standards that examine the following 4 different areas: (1) indication and duration of PN; (2) nutrition assessment, adequacy of the nutrition support, and monitoring; (3) metabolic and infectious complications; and (4) global efficacy of the nutrition support regimen. The authors describe the current definition of each criterion and present the results obtained in the 5 audits performed. In the past year, 9 of the 22 criteria reached the predefined standards. The areas detected for further improvements were: indication for PN, nutrition assessment, and management of catheter infections. The definition of quality criteria and their standards is an efficient method of providing a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the clinical care of patients receiving PN. It detects areas for improvement and assists in developing a methodology to work efficiently.

  5. AUDIT OF OXYGEN PRESCRIBING IN A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

    PubMed

    Wheeler, Lucy; James, Janet; Byrne, Sarah; Forton, Julian

    2016-09-01

    To audit oxygen prescribing in a children's hospital following the introduction of a new paediatric medication chart, which incorporates an oxygen prescription section. In June 2015 a 1-day snapshot audit was carried out across all wards in the children's hospital. All patients receiving oxygen on that day were included:▸ The audit was repeated in July 2015.▸ The standards for the audit were set at 100% in accordance with our local guidelines.1 ▸ All patients receiving oxygen should have a prescription. Of these:▸ All patients should have target saturations identified.▸ All patients should have an administration device identified.▸ All patients should have a nurse signature on the chart within the last 12 hrs. In June, 13 patients were receiving oxygen on the audit day. 0/14 had a prescription.In July, 18 patients were receiving oxygen on the audit day. (14 critical care, 4 medicine).4/18 had an oxygen prescription (22%). These were all medical patients. Of these, 4 patients had a target saturation identified (100%), 1 had a device prescribed (25%), and 4 had a nurse signature within the last 12 hrs (100%). The initial audit showed no compliance with either local or national guidance for oxygen prescribing.1 2 The re-audit showed improved prescribing on the medical wards but not within critical care. The new paediatric medication chart was launched early in 2015, along with a training package for doctors, nurses and pharmacists. This was in response to the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) rapid response report on oxygen safety in hospitals.3 There was a gap between the training and the new charts being available which may have led to the poor results in the first audit. Increased awareness of the charts and the initial audit results probably helped improve prescribing in the re-audit. For medical patients, prescribing and monitoring was good, although device was infrequently prescribed. Critical care have not engaged with the new chart

  6. Multicentre dose audit for clinical trials of radiation therapy in Asia

    PubMed Central

    Fukuda, Shigekazu; Fukumura, Akifumi; Nakamura, Yuzuru-Kutsutani; Jianping, Cao; Cho, Chul-Koo; Supriana, Nana; Dung, To Anh; Calaguas, Miriam Joy; Devi, C.R. Beena; Chansilpa, Yaowalak; Banu, Parvin Akhter; Riaz, Masooma; Esentayeva, Surya; Kato, Shingo; Karasawa, Kumiko; Tsujii, Hirohiko

    2017-01-01

    Abstract A dose audit of 16 facilities in 11 countries has been performed within the framework of the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA) quality assurance program. The quality of radiation dosimetry varies because of the large variation in radiation therapy among the participating countries. One of the most important aspects of international multicentre clinical trials is uniformity of absolute dose between centres. The National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) in Japan has conducted a dose audit of participating countries since 2006 by using radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeters (RGDs). RGDs have been successfully applied to a domestic postal dose audit in Japan. The authors used the same audit system to perform a dose audit of the FNCA countries. The average and standard deviation of the relative deviation between the measured and intended dose among 46 beams was 0.4% and 1.5% (k = 1), respectively. This is an excellent level of uniformity for the multicountry data. However, of the 46 beams measured, a single beam exceeded the permitted tolerance level of ±5%. We investigated the cause for this and solved the problem. This event highlights the importance of external audits in radiation therapy. PMID:27864507

  7. The Legal Audit: Preventing Problems.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Perlman, Daniel H.

    1987-01-01

    Suffolk University initiated two audits that proved beneficial: a legal audit and an insurance audit. A legal audit involves having an attorney review a college's contracts, personnel handbooks, catalogs, etc., in order to anticipate and prevent problems. An insurance audit reviews an institution's risk coverage. (MLW)

  8. Do federal and state audits increase compliance with a grant program to improve municipal infrastructure (AUDIT study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

    PubMed

    De La O, Ana L; Martel García, Fernando

    2014-09-03

    Poor governance and accountability compromise young democracies' efforts to provide public services critical for human development, including water, sanitation, health, and education. Evidence shows that accountability agencies like superior audit institutions can reduce corruption and waste in federal grant programs financing service infrastructure. However, little is know about their effect on compliance with grant reporting and resource allocation requirements, or about the causal mechanisms. This study protocol for an exploratory randomized controlled trial tests the hypothesis that federal and state audits increase compliance with a federal grant program to improve municipal service infrastructure serving marginalized households. The AUDIT study is a block randomized, controlled, three-arm parallel group exploratory trial. A convenience sample of 5 municipalities in each of 17 states in Mexico (n=85) were block randomized to be audited by federal auditors (n=17), by state auditors (n=17), and a control condition outside the annual program of audits (n=51) in a 1:1:3 ratio. Replicable and verifiable randomization was performed using publicly available lottery numbers. Audited municipalities were included in the national program of audits and received standard audits on their use of federal public service infrastructure grants. Municipalities receiving moderate levels of grant transfers were recruited, as these were outside the auditing sampling frame--and hence audit program--or had negligible probabilities of ever being audited. The primary outcome measures capture compliance with the grant program and markers for the causal mechanisms, including deterrence and information effects. Secondary outcome measure include differences in audit reports across federal and state auditors, and measures like career concerns, political promotions, and political clientelism capturing synergistic effects with municipal accountability systems. The survey firm and research

  9. 23 CFR 172.7 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 23 Highways 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Audits. 172.7 Section 172.7 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY... SERVICE CONTRACTS § 172.7 Audits. (a) Performance of audits. When State procedures call for audits of contracts or subcontracts for engineering design services, the audit shall be performed to test compliance...

  10. 46 CFR Sec. 12 - Audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Audit. Sec. 12 Section 12 Shipping MARITIME... TRANSACTIONS UNDER AGENCY AGREEMENTS Reports and Audit Sec. 12 Audit. (a) The owner will audit as currently as possible subsequent to audit by the agent, all documents relating to the activities, maintenance and...

  11. 6 CFR 27.250 - Inspections and audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Domestic Security DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM STANDARDS Chemical Facility Security Program § 27.250 Inspections and audits. (a) Authority. In order to... directed by § 27.245(b) in “Review and Approval of Site Security Plans.” (c) Time and Manner. Authorized...

  12. 6 CFR 27.250 - Inspections and audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... Domestic Security DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM STANDARDS Chemical Facility Security Program § 27.250 Inspections and audits. (a) Authority. In order to... directed by § 27.245(b) in “Review and Approval of Site Security Plans.” (c) Time and Manner. Authorized...

  13. Evaluating and operationalizing an environmental auditing program: a pilot study.

    PubMed

    Gordon, Laura; Bruce, Natalie; Suh, Kathryn N; Roth, Virginia

    2014-07-01

    Environmental auditing is an important tool to ensure consistent and effective cleaning. Our pilot study compared an alcohol-based fluorescent marking product and an adenosine-5'-triphosphate bioluminescence product for use in an environmental auditing program to determine which product was more practical and acceptable to users. Both products were tested on 15 preselected high touch objects in randomly selected patient rooms, following regular daily cleaning. A room was considered a "pass" if ≥80% of surfaces were adequately cleaned as defined by manufacturers' guidelines. A qualitative survey assessed user preference and operational considerations. Using fluorescent marking, 9 of 37 patient rooms evaluated (24%) were considered a "pass" after daily cleaning. Using adenosine-5'-triphosphate bioluminescence, 21 of 37 patient rooms passed (57%). There was great variability in results between different high touch objects. Eighty percent of users preferred the alcohol-based fluorescent marking product because it provided an effective visual aid to coach staff on proper cleaning techniques and allowed simple and consistent application. Environmental auditing using translucent, alcohol-based fluorescent marking best met the requirements of our organization. Our results reinforce the importance of involving a multidisciplinary team in evaluating and operationalizing an environmental auditing program. Copyright © 2014 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. 20 CFR 655.24 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Audits. 655.24 Section 655.24 Employees...) § 655.24 Audits. (a) Discretion. OFLC will conduct audits of H-2B temporary labor certification applications. The applications selected for audit will be chosen within the sole discretion of OFLC. (b) Audit...

  15. The e-CRABEL score: an updated method for auditing medical records.

    PubMed

    Myuran, Tharsika; Turner, Oliver; Ben Doostdar, Bijan; Lovett, Bryony

    2017-01-01

    In 2001 the CRABEL score was devised in order to obtain a numerical score of the standard of medical note keeping. With the advent of electronic discharge letters, many components of the CRABEL score are now redundant as computers automatically include some documentation. The CRABEL score was modified to form the e-CRABEL score. "Patient details on discharge letter" and "Admission and discharge dates on discharge letter" were replaced with "Summary of investigations on discharge letter" and "Documentation of VTE prophylaxis on the drug chart". The new e-CRABEL score has been used as a monthly audit tool in a busy surgical unit to monitor long-term standards of medical note keeping, with interventions of presenting in the departmental audit meeting, and giving a teaching session to a group of junior doctors at two points. Following discussion with stakeholders: junior doctors, consultants, and the audit department; it was decided that the e-CRABEL tool was sufficiently compact to be completed on a monthly basis. Critique and interventions included using photographic examples, case note selection and clarification of the e-CRABEL criteria in a teaching session. Tools used for audit need to be updated in order to accurately represent what they measure, hence the modification of the CRABEL score to make the new e-CRABEL score. Preliminary acquisition and presentation of data using the e-CRABEL score has shown promise in improving the quality of medical record keeping. The tool is sufficiently compact as to conduct on a monthly basis, maintaining standards to a high level and also provides data on VTE documentation.

  16. 20 CFR 655.1312 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Audits. 655.1312 Section 655.1312 Employees... United States (H-2A Workers) § 655.1312 Audits. (a) Discretion. The Department will conduct audits of... selected for audit will be chosen within the sole discretion of the Department. (b) Audit letter. Where an...

  17. 16 CFR 703.7 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 16 Commercial Practices 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Audits. 703.7 Section 703.7 Commercial... Audits. (a) The Mechanism shall have an audit conducted at least annually, to determine whether the... be kept under § 703.6 of this part shall be available for audit. (b) Each audit provided for in...

  18. 45 CFR 96.31 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 45 Public Welfare 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Audits. 96.31 Section 96.31 Public Welfare... Audits. (a) Basic rule. Grantees and subgrantees are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507) and revised OMB Circular A-133, “Audits...

  19. NEVER AUDIT ALONE--THE CASE FOR AUDIT TEAMS

    EPA Science Inventory

    On-site audits conducted by technical and quality assurance (QA) experts at the data-gathering location are the core of an effective QA program. However, inadequate resources for such audits are the bane of a QA program, and the proposed solution frequently is to send only one au...

  20. An audit of best evidence topic reviews in the International Journal of Surgery.

    PubMed

    Mabvuure, Nigel Tapiwa; Klimach, Stefan; Eisner, Mark; Rodrigues, Jeremy Neil

    2015-05-01

    IJS launched best evidence topic reviews (BETs) in 2011, when the guidelines for conducting and reporting these reviews were published in the journal. (1) Audit the adherence of all published BETs in IJS to these guidelines. (2) Assess the reach and impact of BETs published in IJS. BETs published between 2011 and February 2014 were identified from http://www.journal-surgery.net/. Standards audited included: completeness of description of study attrition, and independent verification of searches. Other extracted data included: relevant subspecialty, duration between searches and publication, and between acceptance and publication. Each BET's number of citations (http://scholar.google.co.uk/), number of tweets (http://www.altmetric.com/) and number of Researchgate views (https://www.researchgate.net/) were recorded. Thirty-four BETs were identified: the majority, 19 (56%), relating to upper gastrointestinal surgery and none to cardiothoracic, orthopaedic or paediatric surgery. Twenty-nine BETs (82%) fully described study attrition. Twenty-one (62%) had independently verified search results. The mean times from literature searching to publication and acceptance to publication were 38.5 weeks and 13 days respectively. There were a mean 40 (range 0-89) Researchgate views/article, mean 2 (range 0-7) citations/article and mean 0.36 (range 0-2) tweets/article. Adherence to BET guidelines has been variable. Authors are encouraged to adhere to journal guidelines and reviewers and editors to enforce them. BETs have received similar citation levels to other IJS articles. Means of increasing the visibility of published BETs such as social media sharing, conference presentation and deposition of abstracts in public repositories should be explored. More work is required to encourage more submissions from other surgical subspecialties other than gastrointestinal specialties. Copyright © 2015 IJS Publishing Group Limited. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Compliance with the guide for commissioning oral surgery: an audit and discussion.

    PubMed

    Modgill, O; Shah, A

    2017-10-13

    Introduction The Guide for commissioning oral surgery and oral medicine published by NHS England (2015) prescribes the level of complexity of oral surgery and oral medicine investigations and procedures to be carried out within NHS services. These are categorised as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3A and Level 3B. An audit was designed to ascertain the level of oral surgery procedures performed by clinicians of varying experience and qualification working in a large oral surgery department within a major teaching hospital.Materials and methods Two audit cycles were conducted on retrospective case notes and radiographic review of 100 patient records undergoing dental extractions within the Department of Oral Surgery at King's College Dental Hospital. The set gold standard was: '100% of Level 1 procedures should be performed by dental undergraduates or discharged back to the referring general dental practitioner'. Data were collected and analysed on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The results of the first audit cycle were presented to all clinicians within the department in a formal meeting, recommendations were made and an action plan implemented prior to undertaking a second cycle.Results The first cycle revealed that 25% of Level 1 procedures met the set gold standard, with Level 2 practitioners performing the majority of Level 1 and Level 2 procedures. The second cycle showed a marked improvement, with 66% of Level 1 procedures meeting the set gold standard.Conclusion Our audit demonstrates that whilst we were able to achieve an improvement with the set gold standard, several barriers still remain to ensure that patients are treated by the appropriate level of clinician in a secondary care setting. We have used this audit as a foundation upon which to discuss the challenges faced in implementation of the commissioning framework within both primary and secondary dental care and strategies to overcome these challenges, which are likely to be encountered in any NHS care

  2. Clinical governance in practice: closing the loop with integrated audit systems.

    PubMed

    Taylor, L; Jones, S

    2006-04-01

    Clinical governance has been acknowledged as the driving force behind National Health Service (NHS) reform since the government white paper outlined a new style of NHS in the UK in 1997. The framework of clinical governance ensures that NHS organizations are accountable for continually improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will develop. A major component of a clinical governance framework requires utilizing audit procedures, which assess the effectiveness of current systems and ultimately direct continual quality improvement. This paper describes the audit component of a local clinical governance framework designed for a unit based within an NHS trust, which has utilized a multidisciplinary approach to assess the effectiveness of a newly commissioned service and its impact on the residents and staff. The unit is a 12-bedded, low-secure-intensive rehabilitation unit for clients with severe and enduring mental illness. Using recognized and standardized psychometric outcome measures, information was collected on clinical symptoms, social functioning, social behaviour, quality of life, relationship quality with named nurses and medication side-effects. Additionally, confidential staff measures were included to assess levels of burnout, identify expressed emotion and assess staff perception of models of illness. The paper includes a comprehensive account of how managerial commitment, teaching processes and application of technology ensured prompt data collection and maintained the momentum through the audit timescale. Data analysis and presentation of data in both clinical reviews and in senior management meetings within the unit are discussed. Findings highlight the full integration of the audit system into the processes of the unit. Clinically, the paper highlights the enhancement of the knowledge base of the client group and the influence on clinical decision

  3. Auditing Organizational Security

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-01-01

    Managing organizational security is no different from managing any other of the command’s missions. Establish your policies, goals and risk...parameters; implement, train, measure and benchmark them. And then audit, audit, audit. Today, more than ever, Organizational Security is an essential...not be regarded as independent or standing alone. Cybersecurity is an indispensable element of organizational security, which is the subject of

  4. 41 CFR 102-118.405 - Are my agency's prepayment audited transportation bills subject to periodic postpayment audit...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... prepayment audited transportation bills subject to periodic postpayment audit oversight from the GSA Audit... Management Regulations System (Continued) FEDERAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION TRANSPORTATION 118-TRANSPORTATION PAYMENT AND AUDIT Prepayment Audits of Transportation Services Waivers from Mandatory Prepayment Audit...

  5. The UK Haemophilia Doctors Organisation triennial audit of UK Comprehensive Care Haemophilia Centres.

    PubMed

    Wilde, J T

    2012-07-01

    Under the auspices of the United Kingdom Haemophilia Doctors Organisation (UKHCDO) the UK Comprehensive Care Haemophilia Centres (CCCs) have undergone a three yearly formal audit assessment since 1993. This report describes the evolution of the audit process and details the findings of the most recent audit round, the sixth since inception. The audit reports from the 2009 audit round were reviewed by the audit organizing group and a structured analysis of the data was compiled. CCCs in the UK offer a high standard of comprehensive care services. The main areas of concern were the state of the premises (seven centres), lack of dental services (seven centres), physiotherapy (seven centres) and social work support (11 centres). Major concerns were identified at eight centres requiring a formal letter from the chairman of UKHCDO to the chief executive of the host trust. Since inception of the triennial audit process centre report recommendations have resulted in major improvements in the services available at UK CCCs. The audit process is considered to be a highly effective means of improving the quality of care for patients with bleeding disorders and can be used as a model for the introduction of a similar process in other countries. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  6. Comparison of patients' assessments of the quality of stroke care with audit findings.

    PubMed

    Howell, Esther; Graham, Chris; Hoffman, A; Lowe, D; McKevitt, Christopher; Reeves, Rachel; Rudd, A G

    2007-12-01

    To determine the extent of correlation between stroke patients' experiences of hospital care with the quality of services assessed in a national audit. Patients' assessments of their care derived from survey data were linked to data obtained in the National Sentinel Stroke Audit 2004 for 670 patients in 51 English NHS trusts. A measure of patients' experience of hospital stroke care was derived by summing responses to 31 survey items and grouping these into three broad concept domains: quality of care; information; and relationships with staff. Audit data were extracted from hospital admissions data and management information to assess the organisation of services, and obtained retrospectively from patient records to evaluate the delivery of care. Patient survey responses were compared with audit measures of organisation of care and compliance with clinical process standards. Patient experience scores were positively correlated with clinicians' assessment of the organisational quality of stroke care, but were largely unrelated to clinical process standards. Responses to individual questions regarding communication about diagnosis revealed a discrepancy between clinicians' and patients' reports. Better organised stroke care is associated with more positive patient experiences. Examining areas of disparity between patients' and clinicians' reports is important for understanding the complex nature of healthcare and for identifying areas for quality improvement. Future evaluations of the quality of stroke services should include a validated patient experience survey in addition to audit of clinical records.

  7. Comparative dosimetry study of three UK centres implementing total skin electron treatment through external audit.

    PubMed

    Misson-Yates, S; Gonzalez, R; McGovern, M; Greener, A

    2015-05-01

    This article describes the external audit measurements conducted in two UK centres implementing total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) and the results obtained. Measurements of output, energy, beam flatness and symmetry at a standard distance (95 or 100 cm SSD) were performed using a parallel plate chamber in solid water. Similarly, output and energy measurements were also performed at the treatment plane for single and dual fields. Clinical simulations were carried out using thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) and Gafchromic® film (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ) on an anthropomorphic phantom. Extended distance measurements confirmed that local values for the beam dosimetry at Centres A and B were within 2% for outputs and 1-mm agreement of the expected depth at which the dose is 50% of the maximum for the depth-dose curve in water (R50,D) value. Clinical simulation using TLDs) showed an agreement of -1.6% and -6.7% compared with the expected mean trunk dose for each centre, respectively, and a variation within 10% (±1 standard deviation) across the trunk. The film results confirmed that the delivery of the treatment technique at each audited centre complies with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer recommendations. This audit methodology has proven to be a successful way to confirm the agreement of dosimetric parameters for TSEBT treatments at both audited centres and could serve as the basis for an audit template to be used by other audit groups. TSEBT audits are not established in the UK owing to a limited number of centres carrying out the treatment technique. This article describes the audits performed at two UK centres prior to their clinical implementation.

  8. 15 CFR 296.12 - Reporting and auditing requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Reporting and auditing requirements. 296.12 Section 296.12 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS TECHNOLOGY...

  9. 15 CFR 296.12 - Reporting and auditing requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Reporting and auditing requirements. 296.12 Section 296.12 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS TECHNOLOGY...

  10. 15 CFR 296.12 - Reporting and auditing requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Reporting and auditing requirements. 296.12 Section 296.12 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS TECHNOLOGY...

  11. 15 CFR 296.12 - Reporting and auditing requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Reporting and auditing requirements. 296.12 Section 296.12 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS TECHNOLOGY...

  12. 15 CFR 296.12 - Reporting and auditing requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Reporting and auditing requirements. 296.12 Section 296.12 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS TECHNOLOGY...

  13. Standardized development of computer software. Part 2: Standards

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tausworthe, R. C.

    1978-01-01

    This monograph contains standards for software development and engineering. The book sets forth rules for design, specification, coding, testing, documentation, and quality assurance audits of software; it also contains detailed outlines for the documentation to be produced.

  14. Can GPs audit their ability to detect psychological distress? One approach and some unresolved issues.

    PubMed Central

    Howe, A

    1998-01-01

    BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) should be able to detect psychological distress in their patients. However, there is much evidence of underperformance in this area. The principle of clinical audit is the identification of underperformance and amelioration of its causes, but there appear to be few evaluated models of audit in this area of clinical practice. AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of auditing GPs' performance as detectors of psychological distress. Specific objectives were to test a model of the audit cycle in the detection of psychological distress by GPs; to research GP perceptions of prior audit activity in this area and the validity of the instruments used to measure GP performance; and to research GP perceptions of the value of this specific approach to the audit of their performance and the particular value of different aspects of the model in terms of its impact on clinician behaviour. METHOD: Prospective controlled study of an audit cycle of GP detection of psychological distress. Nineteen GP principals used a self-directed educational intervention involving measurement of their performance, followed by data feedback and review of selected videotaped consultations. Qualitative data on GP views of audit in this area of clinical activity were collected before and after the quantitative data collection. RESULTS: The study shows that the GP cohort had not previously considered auditing their performance as detectors of psychological distress. They found the instruments of measurement and the model of audit acceptable. However, they also suggested modifications that might be educationally more effective and make the audit more practical. These included smaller patient numbers and more peer contact. The implications of the study for a definitive model of audit in this area are discussed. CONCLUSION: Effective audit of GP performance in detection of psychological distress is possible using validated instruments, and GP performance can be improved

  15. Can GPs audit their ability to detect psychological distress? One approach and some unresolved issues.

    PubMed

    Howe, A

    1998-01-01

    General practitioners (GPs) should be able to detect psychological distress in their patients. However, there is much evidence of underperformance in this area. The principle of clinical audit is the identification of underperformance and amelioration of its causes, but there appear to be few evaluated models of audit in this area of clinical practice. To evaluate the feasibility of auditing GPs' performance as detectors of psychological distress. Specific objectives were to test a model of the audit cycle in the detection of psychological distress by GPs; to research GP perceptions of prior audit activity in this area and the validity of the instruments used to measure GP performance; and to research GP perceptions of the value of this specific approach to the audit of their performance and the particular value of different aspects of the model in terms of its impact on clinician behaviour. Prospective controlled study of an audit cycle of GP detection of psychological distress. Nineteen GP principals used a self-directed educational intervention involving measurement of their performance, followed by data feedback and review of selected videotaped consultations. Qualitative data on GP views of audit in this area of clinical activity were collected before and after the quantitative data collection. The study shows that the GP cohort had not previously considered auditing their performance as detectors of psychological distress. They found the instruments of measurement and the model of audit acceptable. However, they also suggested modifications that might be educationally more effective and make the audit more practical. These included smaller patient numbers and more peer contact. The implications of the study for a definitive model of audit in this area are discussed. Effective audit of GP performance in detection of psychological distress is possible using validated instruments, and GP performance can be improved by educational intervention. GPs in this study

  16. 10 CFR 603.1295 - Periodic audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Periodic audit. 603.1295 Section 603.1295 Energy... Used in this Part § 603.1295 Periodic audit. An audit of a participant, performed at an agreed-upon... an audit may cover. A periodic audit of a participant differs from an award-specific audit of an...

  17. Egypt site of first CSM marketing audit.

    PubMed

    1982-01-01

    The 1st application of the marketing audit concept to a CSM project was implemented in Egypt's Family of the Future (FOF) contraceptive social marketing program in 1982. The audit defined the basic mission of the FOF as one of assisting the government in achieving its long range family planning goals. The stated FOF objectives are as follows: to create an awareness or an increase in demand for family planning services, particularly among the lower socioeconomic strata in urban Egypt; to establish and maintain a reliable supply mechanism to make FOF products more readily acceptable and available from pharmacies; and to consolidate the CSM operations and services first in the greater Cairo area and then expand to other urban areas in Egypt. The core strategy of the FOF incorporates several elements, including intensive media based advertising and personal promotion to promote the concept of family planning and to educate the general public about contraceptive alternatives. FOF product prices are considerably lower than commercial prices. Dr. Alan R. Andreasen, who conducted the audit on behalf of the FOF technical assistance contractor, noted that the FOF is growing rapidly and stated that the audit recommendations were intended to help FOF management. Dr. Andreasen conducted interviews with all the senior personnel at FOF and met with various specialized staff members such as the Public Relations Manager. Dr. Andreasen noted that at the time of the audit the FOF could claim major accomplishments in creating an awareness of the need for family planning and in product sales. From the time products were launched in 1979 through 1981 condom sales increased 260%. Foaming tablet sales increased more than 320% and IUD sales increased nearly 330%. The introduction of the Copper 7 IUD accounted for 35% of the growth of IUD sales in 1981. Couple years of protection (CYP) provided by all products increased from 45,533 in 1979 to 190,831 in 1981, an increase over 300%. The

  18. An audit comparing the reporting of staging MRI scans for rectal cancer with the London Cancer Alliance (LCA) guidelines.

    PubMed

    Siddiqui, M R S; Shanmuganandan, A P; Rasheed, S; Tekkis, P; Brown, G; Abulafi, A M

    2017-11-01

    This article focuses on the audit and assessment of clinical practice before and after introduction of MRI reporting guidelines. Standardised proforma based reporting may improve quality of MRI reports. Uptake of the use may be facilitated by endorsement from regional and national cancer organisations. This audit was divided into 2 phases. MRI reports issued between April 2014 and June 2014 were included in the first part of our audit. Phase II included MRI reports issued between April 2015 and June 2015. 14 out of 15 hospitals that report MRI scans in the LCA responded to our audit proposal. The completion rate of key MRI metrics/metrics was better in proforma compared to prose reports both before (98% vs 73%; p < 0.05) and after introduction of the guidelines (98% vs 71%; p < 0.05). There was an approximate doubling of proforma reporting after the introduction of guidelines and workshop interventions (39% vs 65%; p < 0.05). Evaluation of locally advanced cancers (tumours extending to or beyond the circumferential resection margin) for beyond TME surgery was reported in 3% of prose reports vs. 42% in proformas. Incorporation of standardised reporting in official guidelines improved the uptake of proforma based reporting. Proforma based reporting captured more MRI reportable items compared to prose summaries, before and after the implementation of guidelines. MRI reporting of advanced cancers for beyond TME surgery falls short of acceptable standards but is more detailed in proforma based reports. Further work to improve completion especially in beyond TME reporting is required. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.

  19. Tonsillectomy under threat: auditing the indications for performing tonsillectomy.

    PubMed

    Silva, S; Ouda, M; Mathanakumara, S; Ridyard, E; Morar, P

    2012-06-01

    The 2009 McKinsey National Health Service report considered that tonsillectomy was relatively ineffective and often unjustified, and that its frequently could be greatly reduced. ENTUK argued against this, for severe recurrent tonsillitis. This study audited clinical indications for tonsillectomy. CRITERIA AND STANDARDS: Current guidelines state that patients with recurrent tonsillitis must have disabling sore throat episodes five or more times per year, and symptoms for at least a year, to justify tonsillectomy. Seventeen recurrent tonsillitis patients receiving tonsillectomy were audited prospectively. Indications were poorly documented in the referral letter, so surgeons agreed to list specified tonsillectomy criteria when scheduling patients for tonsillectomy. A pro forma reminder was distributed to all clinics, and the next 100 scheduled tonsillectomy patients were audited. In the first audit, all 17 tonsillectomies were justified but only two (11.8 per cent) had documented indications. In the second audit, 85 per cent of patients had all essential criteria, which were documented in the listing letter. Tonsillectomy risks being removed from the UK essential otolaryngological surgical register, risking increased patient morbidity and work absence, despite valid supporting evidence of efficacy for recurrent tonsillitis. All UK otolaryngology units should strictly adhere to the ENTUK and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network recommendations for tonsillectomy, and should document essential criteria in the listing letter, to strengthen the advocacy argument for tonsillectomy as essential, valid treatment for recurrent tonsillitis.

  20. Why good accountants do bad audits.

    PubMed

    Bazerman, Max H; Loewenstein, George; Moore, Don A

    2002-11-01

    On July 30, President Bush signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act addressing corporate accountability. A response to recent financial scandals, the law tightened federal controls over the accounting industry and imposed tough new criminal penalties for fraud. The president proclaimed, "The era of low standards and false profits is over." If only it were that easy. The authors don't think corruption is the main cause of bad audits. Rather, they claim, the problem is unconscious bias. Without knowing it, we all tend to discount facts that contradict the conclusions we want to reach, and we uncritically embrace evidence that supports our positions. Accountants might seem immune to such distortions because they work with seemingly hard numbers and clear-cut standards. But the corporate-auditing arena is particularly fertile ground for self-serving biases. Because of the often subjective nature of accounting and the close relationships between accounting firms and their corporate clients, even the most honest and meticulous of auditors can unintentionally massage the numbers in ways that mask a company's true financial status, thereby misleading investors, regulators, and even management. Solving this problem will require far more aggressive action than the U.S. government has taken thus far. What's needed are practices and regulations that recognize the existence of bias and moderate its effects. True auditor independence will entail fundamental changes to the way the accounting industry operates, including full divestiture of consulting and tax services, rotation of auditing firms, and fixed-term contracts that prohibit client companies from firing their auditors. Less tangibly, auditors must come to appreciate the profound impact of self-serving biases on their judgment.

  1. Incentives for Organ Donation: Proposed Standards for an Internationally Acceptable System

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Incentives for organ donation, currently prohibited in most countries, may increase donation and save lives. Discussion of incentives has focused on two areas: (1) whether or not there are ethical principles that justify the current prohibition and (2) whether incentives would do more good than harm. We herein address the second concern and propose for discussion standards and guidelines for an acceptable system of incentives for donation. We believe that if systems based on these guidelines were developed, harms would be no greater than those to today’s conventional donors. Ultimately, until there are trials of incentives, the question of benefits and harms cannot be satisfactorily answered. PMID:22176925

  2. Evaluating the value and impact of the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality.

    PubMed

    Retegan, Claudia; Russell, Colin; Harris, Darren; Andrianopoulos, Nick; Beiles, C Barry

    2013-10-01

    Since the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality (VASM) commenced in 2007, 95% of Victorian Fellows have agreed to participate and have provided data on the deaths of patients receiving surgical care. All public, and the majority of private, hospitals involved in the delivery of surgical services in Victoria have been submitting data on deaths associated with surgery. De-identified reports on this data are distributed in regular annual reports and case note review booklets. Although informal feedback on the perceived value of the audit was encouraging, a formal review of all aspects of the audit was felt necessary. An independent formal review of VASM governance, documentation, datasets and data analysis was performed, in addition to a survey of 257 individuals (surgeons and other stakeholders) on the perceived impact of VASM. The review confirmed increasing participation and acceptance by surgeons since the inception of the project. Governance mechanisms were found to be effective and acknowledged by stakeholders and collaborators. Robust participation rates have been achieved, and stakeholders were generally satisfied with the quality of feedback. Suggestions for improvement were provided by some surgeons and hospitals. External review of VASM processes and procedures confirmed that the audit was operating effectively, with robust quality control and achieving the trust of stakeholders. The educational value of the audit to the surgical community was acknowledged and areas for future improvement have been identified. © 2013 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

  3. 25 CFR 542.42 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier C gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... maintained whose primary function is performing internal audit work and that is independent with respect to... accountability shall be reconciled to the general ledger; (ix) Information technology functions, including review... internal audit function, the accountant shall perform separate observations of the table games/gaming...

  4. 25 CFR 542.42 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier C gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... maintained whose primary function is performing internal audit work and that is independent with respect to... accountability shall be reconciled to the general ledger; (ix) Information technology functions, including review... internal audit function, the accountant shall perform separate observations of the table games/gaming...

  5. 25 CFR 542.42 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier C gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... maintained whose primary function is performing internal audit work and that is independent with respect to... accountability shall be reconciled to the general ledger; (ix) Information technology functions, including review... internal audit function, the accountant shall perform separate observations of the table games/gaming...

  6. 25 CFR 542.42 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier C gaming operations?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... maintained whose primary function is performing internal audit work and that is independent with respect to... accountability shall be reconciled to the general ledger; (ix) Information technology functions, including review... internal audit function, the accountant shall perform separate observations of the table games/gaming...

  7. Auditing Knowledge toward Leveraging Organizational IQ in Healthcare Organizations.

    PubMed

    Shahmoradi, Leila; Karami, Mahtab; Farzaneh Nejad, Ahmadreza

    2016-04-01

    In this study, a knowledge audit was conducted based on organizational intelligence quotient (OIQ) principles of Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) to determine levers that can enhance OIQ in healthcare. The mixed method study was conducted within the MOHME. The study population consisted of 15 senior managers and policymakers. A tool based on literature review and panel expert opinions was developed to perform a knowledge audit. The significant results of this auditing revealed the following: lack of defined standard processes for organizing knowledge management (KM), lack of a knowledge map, absence of a trustee to implement KM, absence of specialists to produce a knowledge map, individuals' unwillingness to share knowledge, implicitness of knowledge format, occasional nature of knowledge documentation for repeated use, lack of a mechanism to determine repetitive tasks, lack of a reward system for the formation of communities, groups and networks, non-updatedness of the available knowledge, and absence of commercial knowledge. The analysis of the audit findings revealed that three levers for enhancing OIQ, including structure and process, organizational culture, and information technology must be created or modified.

  8. Auditing Knowledge toward Leveraging Organizational IQ in Healthcare Organizations

    PubMed Central

    Shahmoradi, Leila; Farzaneh Nejad, Ahmadreza

    2016-01-01

    Objectives In this study, a knowledge audit was conducted based on organizational intelligence quotient (OIQ) principles of Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) to determine levers that can enhance OIQ in healthcare. Methods The mixed method study was conducted within the MOHME. The study population consisted of 15 senior managers and policymakers. A tool based on literature review and panel expert opinions was developed to perform a knowledge audit. Results The significant results of this auditing revealed the following: lack of defined standard processes for organizing knowledge management (KM), lack of a knowledge map, absence of a trustee to implement KM, absence of specialists to produce a knowledge map, individuals' unwillingness to share knowledge, implicitness of knowledge format, occasional nature of knowledge documentation for repeated use, lack of a mechanism to determine repetitive tasks, lack of a reward system for the formation of communities, groups and networks, non-updatedness of the available knowledge, and absence of commercial knowledge. Conclusions The analysis of the audit findings revealed that three levers for enhancing OIQ, including structure and process, organizational culture, and information technology must be created or modified. PMID:27200221

  9. 20 CFR 601.9 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Audits. 601.9 Section 601.9 Employees' Benefits EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE Grants, Advances and Audits § 601.9 Audits. The Department of Labor's audit regulations at 29 CFR Part 96 and 29...

  10. 42 CFR 430.33 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Audits. 430.33 Section 430.33 Public Health CENTERS... ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Grants; Reviews and Audits; Withholding... § 430.33 Audits. (a) Purpose. The Department's Office of Inspector General (OIG) periodically audits...

  11. The management of acute myocardial infarction: guidelines and audit standards. Report of a workshop of the Joint Audit Committee of the British Cardiac Society and the Royal College of Physicians.

    PubMed

    De Bono, D P; Hopkins, A

    1994-01-01

    Successful management of acute myocardial infarction depends in the first instance on the patient recognising the symptoms and seeking help as quickly as possible. Once in hospital, fast track admission procedures and protocols for pain relief, early thrombolysis and appropriate ancillary measures (eg aspirin, i.v. betablockers) should be promptly instituted. Specialist advice and, if necessary, transfer to specialist unit should be considered if additional complications arise. Follow-up management after discharge from hospital requires cooperation between primary and secondary care to prolong survival by reducing risk factors, using aspirin, betablockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and instituting a suitable rehabilitation programme. Audit measures are included in the report to help general practitioners and hospital doctors review their practice and assess it against the standards set.

  12. The ICA Communication Audit and Perceived Communication Effectiveness Changes in 16 Audited Organizations.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brooks, Keith; And Others

    1979-01-01

    Discusses the benefits of the International Communication Association Communication Audit as a methodology for evaluation of organizational communication processes and outcomes. An "after" survey of 16 audited organizations confirmed the audit as a valid diagnostic methodology and organization development intervention technique which…

  13. UK audit of glomerular filtration rate measurement from plasma sampling in 2013.

    PubMed

    Murray, Anthony W; Lawson, Richard S; Cade, Sarah C; Hall, David O; Kenny, Bob; O'Shaughnessy, Emma; Taylor, Jon; Towey, David; White, Duncan; Carson, Kathryn

    2014-11-01

    An audit was carried out into UK glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculation. The results were compared with an identical 2001 audit. Participants used their routine method to calculate GFR for 20 data sets (four plasma samples) in millilitres per minute and also the GFR normalized for body surface area. Some unsound data sets were included to analyse the applied quality control (QC) methods. Variability between centres was assessed for each data set, compared with the national median and a reference value calculated using the method recommended in the British Nuclear Medicine Society guidelines. The influence of the number of samples on variability was studied. Supplementary data were requested on workload and methodology. The 59 returns showed widespread standardization. The applied early exponential clearance correction was the main contributor to the observed variability. These corrections were applied by 97% of centres (50% - 2001) with 80% using the recommended averaged Brochner-Mortenson correction. Approximately 75% applied the recommended Haycock body surface area formula for adults (78% for children). The effect of the number of samples used was not significant. There was wide variability in the applied QC techniques, especially in terms of the use of the volume of distribution. The widespread adoption of the guidelines has harmonized national GFR calculation compared with the previous audit. Further standardization could further reduce variability. This audit has highlighted the need to address the national standardization of QC methods. Radionuclide techniques are confirmed as the preferred method for GFR measurement when an unequivocal result is required.

  14. 12 CFR 1274.1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... independent accountant in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards for the purpose of expressing an opinion thereon. Audit report means a document in which an independent accountant indicates the...

  15. 12 CFR 1274.1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... independent accountant in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards for the purpose of expressing an opinion thereon. Audit report means a document in which an independent accountant indicates the...

  16. 12 CFR 1274.1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... independent accountant in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards for the purpose of expressing an opinion thereon. Audit report means a document in which an independent accountant indicates the...

  17. 20 CFR 655.180 - Audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Audit. 655.180 Section 655.180 Employees... United States (H-2A Workers) Integrity Measures § 655.180 Audit. The CO may conduct audits of applications for which certifications have been granted. (a) Discretion. The applications selected for audit...

  18. 42 CFR 457.236 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Audits. 457.236 Section 457.236 Public Health...-Reviews and Audits; Withholding for Failure to Comply; Deferral and Disallowance of Claims; Reduction of Federal Medical Payments § 457.236 Audits. The CHIP agency must assure appropriate audit of records on...

  19. 30 CFR 217.200 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Audits. 217.200 Section 217.200 Mineral Resources MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS REVENUE MANAGEMENT AUDITS AND INSPECTIONS Coal § 217.200 Audits. An audit of the accounts and books of operators/lessees for the purpose of...

  20. A survey on auditing, quality assurance systems and legal frameworks in five selected slaughterhouses in Bulawayo, south-western Zimbabwe.

    PubMed

    Masanganise, Kaurai E; Matope, Gift; Pfukenyi, Davies M

    2013-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to explore the audits, quality assurance (QA) programmes and legal frameworks used in selected abattoirs in Zimbabwe and slaughterhouse workers' perceptions on their effectiveness. Data on slaughterhouse workers was gathered through a self-completed questionnaire and additional information was obtained from slaughterhouse and government records. External auditing was conducted mainly by the Department of Veterinary Public Health with little contribution from third parties. Internal auditing was restricted to export abattoirs. The checklist used on auditing lacked objective assessment criteria and respondents cited several faults in the current audit system. Most respondents (> 50.0%) knew the purposes and benefits of audit and QA inspections. All export abattoirs had QA programmes such as hazard analysis critical control point and ISO 9001 (a standard used to certify businesses' quality management systems) but their implementation varied from minimal to nil. The main regulatory defect observed was lack of requirements for a QA programme. Audit and quality assurance communications to the selected abattoirs revealed a variety of non-compliances with most respondents revealing that corrective actions to audit (84.3%) and quality assurance (92.3%) shortfalls were not done. A high percentage of respondents indicated that training on quality (76.8%) and regulations (69.8%) was critical. Thus, it is imperative that these abattoirs develop a food safety management system comprising of QA programmes, a microbial assessment scheme, regulatory compliance, standard operating procedures, internal and external auditing and training of workers.

  1. Developing leading indicators from OHS management audit data: Determining the measurement properties of audit data from the field.

    PubMed

    Robson, Lynda S; Ibrahim, Selahadin; Hogg-Johnson, Sheilah; Steenstra, Ivan A; Van Eerd, Dwayne; Amick, Benjamin C

    2017-06-01

    OHS management audits are one means of obtaining data that may serve as leading indicators. The measurement properties of such data are therefore important. This study used data from Workwell audit program in Ontario, a Canadian province. The audit instrument consisted of 122 items related to 17 OHS management elements. The study sought answers regarding (a) the ability of audit-based scores to predict workers' compensation claims outcomes, (b) structural characteristics of the data in relation to the organization of the audit instrument, and (c) internal consistency of items within audit elements. The sample consisted of audit and claims data from 1240 unique firms that had completed one or two OHS management audits during 2007-2010. Predictors derived from the audit results were used in multivariable negative binomial regression modeling of workers' compensation claims outcomes. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine the instrument's structural characteristics. Kuder-Richardson coefficients of internal consistency were calculated for each audit element. The ability of audit scores to predict subsequent claims data could not be established. Factor analysis supported the audit instrument's element-based structure. KR-20 values were high (≥0.83). The Workwell audit data display structural validity and high internal consistency, but not, to date, construct validity, since the audit scores are generally not predictive of subsequent firm claim experience. Audit scores should not be treated as leading indicators of workplace OHS performance without supporting empirical data. Analyses of the measurement properties of audit data can inform decisionmakers about the operation of an audit program, possible future directions in audit instrument development, and the appropriate use of audit data. In particular, decision-makers should be cautious in their use of audit scores as leading indicators, in the absence of supporting empirical data. Copyright © 2017

  2. Comparative dosimetry study of three UK centres implementing total skin electron treatment through external audit

    PubMed Central

    Gonzalez, R; McGovern, M; Greener, A

    2015-01-01

    Objective: This article describes the external audit measurements conducted in two UK centres implementing total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) and the results obtained. Methods: Measurements of output, energy, beam flatness and symmetry at a standard distance (95 or 100 cm SSD) were performed using a parallel plate chamber in solid water. Similarly, output and energy measurements were also performed at the treatment plane for single and dual fields. Clinical simulations were carried out using thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) and Gafchromic® film (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ) on an anthropomorphic phantom. Results: Extended distance measurements confirmed that local values for the beam dosimetry at Centres A and B were within 2% for outputs and 1-mm agreement of the expected depth at which the dose is 50% of the maximum for the depth–dose curve in water (R50,D) value. Clinical simulation using TLDs) showed an agreement of −1.6% and −6.7% compared with the expected mean trunk dose for each centre, respectively, and a variation within 10% (±1 standard deviation) across the trunk. The film results confirmed that the delivery of the treatment technique at each audited centre complies with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer recommendations. Conclusion: This audit methodology has proven to be a successful way to confirm the agreement of dosimetric parameters for TSEBT treatments at both audited centres and could serve as the basis for an audit template to be used by other audit groups. Advances in knowledge: TSEBT audits are not established in the UK owing to a limited number of centres carrying out the treatment technique. This article describes the audits performed at two UK centres prior to their clinical implementation. PMID:25761213

  3. Internal Auditing for School Districts.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cuzzetto, Charles

    This book provides guidelines for conducting internal audits of school districts. The first five chapters provide an overview of internal auditing and describe techniques that can be used to improve or implement internal audits in school districts. They offer information on the definition and benefits of internal auditing, the role of internal…

  4. 30 CFR 208.15 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Audits. 208.15 Section 208.15 Mineral Resources... OIL General Provisions § 208.15 Audits. Audits of the accounts and books of lessees, operators, payors... directed by MMS. Such audits will be for the purpose of determining compliance with applicable statutes...

  5. 28 CFR 33.51 - Audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Audit. 33.51 Section 33.51 Judicial... Additional Requirements § 33.51 Audit. Pursuant to Office of Management and Budget Circular A-128 “Audits of State and Local Governments,” all grantees and subgrantees must provide for an independent audit of...

  6. 7 CFR 210.22 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Audits. 210.22 Section 210.22 Agriculture Regulations... Responsibilities § 210.22 Audits. (a) General. Unless otherwise exempt, audits at the State and school food... mentioned in this paragraph, please refer to 5 CFR 1310.3. (b) Audit procedure. These requirements call for...

  7. 7 CFR 3570.83 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 15 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Audits. 3570.83 Section 3570.83 Agriculture... COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Community Facilities Grant Program § 3570.83 Audits. (a) Audits will be conducted in... submit an audit report will, within 60 days following the end of the fiscal year in which any grant funds...

  8. Quality improvement in New Zealand healthcare. Part 3: achieving effective care through clinical audit.

    PubMed

    Seddon, Mary; Buchanan, John

    2006-08-04

    In this third article in the Series on quality improvement, we examine the effectiveness of dimension of healthcare quality. To satisfy this dimension, two equally important facets must be attended to. First the best available evidence must be sought through research, and second that evidence must be applied--this second function is the domain of quality improvement activities generally and clinical audit in particular. Clinical audit is one of the main tools to establish whether the best evidence is being used in practice, as it compares actual practice to a standard of practice. Clinical audit identifies any gaps between what is done and what should be done, and rectifies any deficiencies in the actual processes of care. In this article, the steps involved in a clinical audit, how it is different to research, and the question of whether clinical audit requires ethical approval are explored.

  9. Environmental auditing: Theory and applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thompson, Dixon; Wilson, Melvin J.

    1994-07-01

    The environmental audit has become a regular part of corporate environmental management in Canada and is also gaining recognition in the public sector. A 1991 survey of 75 private sector companies across Canada revealed that 76% (57/75) had established environmental auditing programs. A similar survey of 19 federal, provincial, and municipal government departments revealed that 11% (2/19) had established such programs. The information gained from environmental audits can be used to facilitate and enhance environmental management from the single facility level to the national and international levels. This paper is divided into two sections: section one examines environmental audits at the facility/company level and discusses environmental audit characteristics, trends, and driving forces not commonly found in the available literature. Important conclusions are: that wherever possible, an action plan to correct the identified problems should be an integral part of an audit, and therefore there should be a close working relationship between auditors, managers, and employees, and that the first audits will generally be more difficult, time consuming, and expensive than subsequent audits. Section two looks at environmental audits in the broader context and discusses the relationship between environmental audits and three other environmental information gathering/analysis tools: environmental impact assessments, state of the environment reports, and new systems of national accounts. The argument is made that the information collected by environmental audits and environmental impact assessments at the facility/company level can be used as the bases for regional and national state of the environment reports and new systems of national accounts.

  10. PERFORMANCE AUDITING OF A HUMAN AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE CHAMBER FOR PM2.5

    EPA Science Inventory

    Databases derived from human health effects research play a vital role in setting environmental standards. An underlying assumption in using these databases for standard setting purposes is that they are of adequate quality. The performance auditing program described provides n...

  11. PERFORMANCE AUDITING OF A HUMAN AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE SYSTEM FOR PM2.5

    EPA Science Inventory

    Databases derived from human health effects research play a vital role in setting environmental standards. An underlying assumption in using these databases for standard setting purposes is that they are of adequate quality. The performance auditing program described in this ma...

  12. A complete audit cycle to assess adherence to a lung protective ventilation strategy.

    PubMed

    Joynes, Emma; Dalay, Satinder; Patel, Jaimin M; Fayek, Samia

    2014-11-01

    There is clear evidence for the use of a protective ventilation protocol in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There is evidence to suggest that protective ventilation is beneficial in patients at risk of ARDS. A protective ventilation strategy was implemented on our intensive care unit in critical care patients who required mechanical ventilation for over 48 h, with and at risk for ARDS. A complete audit cycle was performed over 13 months to assess compliance with a safe ventilation protocol in intensive care. The ARDS network mechanical ventilation protocol was used as the standard for our protective ventilation strategy. This recommends ventilation with a tidal volume (V t) of 6 ml/kg of ideal body weight (IBW) and plateau airway pressure of ≤30 cm H2O. The initial audit failed to meet this standard with V t's of 9.5 ml/kg of IBW. Following the implementation of a ventilation strategy and an educational program, we demonstrate a significant improvement in practice with V t's of 6.6 ml/kg of IBW in the re-audit. This highlights the importance of simple interventions and continuous education in maintaining high standards of care.

  13. 24 CFR 1000.139 - What are the standards for insurance entities owned and controlled by recipients?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... management staff; (A) The underwriting staff must be composed of insurance professionals with an average of... professional every three years. These audits, actuarial reviews, and management reviews must be submitted to... generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and audited by an independent auditor in accordance with...

  14. 24 CFR 1000.139 - What are the standards for insurance entities owned and controlled by recipients?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... management staff; (A) The underwriting staff must be composed of insurance professionals with an average of... professional every three years. These audits, actuarial reviews, and management reviews must be submitted to... generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and audited by an independent auditor in accordance with...

  15. 24 CFR 1000.139 - What are the standards for insurance entities owned and controlled by recipients?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... management staff; (A) The underwriting staff must be composed of insurance professionals with an average of... professional every three years. These audits, actuarial reviews, and management reviews must be submitted to... generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and audited by an independent auditor in accordance with...

  16. 12 CFR 715.7 - Supervisory Committee audit alternatives to a financial statement audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Supervisory Committee audit alternatives to a financial statement audit. 715.7 Section 715.7 Banks and Banking NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS AFFECTING CREDIT UNIONS SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE AUDITS AND VERIFICATIONS § 715.7 Supervisory...

  17. 24 CFR 236.901 - Audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Audit. 236.901 Section 236.901... AND INTEREST REDUCTION PAYMENT FOR RENTAL PROJECTS Audits § 236.901 Audit. Where a State or local... mortgagor of a mortgage insured or held by the Commissioner under this part, it shall conduct audits in...

  18. DoD Cybersecurity Weaknesses as Reported in Audit Reports Issued From August 1, 2015 Through July 31, 2016 (REDACTED)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-12-13

    INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY , GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE SUBJECT: DoD Cybersecurity Weaknesses as Reported in Audit Reports Issued From August...The Air Force Audit Agency recommended that the Air Force Reserve officials direct AFRC personnel to implement a standard process to ensure continued...those products and systems throughout the system development life cycle. The DoD audit community and the GAO reported configuration management

  19. DOD and Coast Guard: Actions Needed to Increase Oversight and Management Information on Hazing Incidents Involving Servicemembers

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-02-01

    The published product may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. However, because this work may contain...We conducted this performance audit from April 2015 to February 2016 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. These...standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and

  20. Navy Ship Maintenance: Action Needed to Maximize New Contracting Strategys Potential Benefits

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-11-01

    published product may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. However, because this work may contain...ports. See appendix I for more information about our scope and methodology. We conducted this performance audit from September 2015 to November 2016 in...accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient

  1. Multicentre dose audit for clinical trials of radiation therapy in Asia.

    PubMed

    Mizuno, Hideyuki; Fukuda, Shigekazu; Fukumura, Akifumi; Nakamura, Yuzuru-Kutsutani; Jianping, Cao; Cho, Chul-Koo; Supriana, Nana; Dung, To Anh; Calaguas, Miriam Joy; Devi, C R Beena; Chansilpa, Yaowalak; Banu, Parvin Akhter; Riaz, Masooma; Esentayeva, Surya; Kato, Shingo; Karasawa, Kumiko; Tsujii, Hirohiko

    2017-05-01

    A dose audit of 16 facilities in 11 countries has been performed within the framework of the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA) quality assurance program. The quality of radiation dosimetry varies because of the large variation in radiation therapy among the participating countries. One of the most important aspects of international multicentre clinical trials is uniformity of absolute dose between centres. The National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) in Japan has conducted a dose audit of participating countries since 2006 by using radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeters (RGDs). RGDs have been successfully applied to a domestic postal dose audit in Japan. The authors used the same audit system to perform a dose audit of the FNCA countries. The average and standard deviation of the relative deviation between the measured and intended dose among 46 beams was 0.4% and 1.5% (k = 1), respectively. This is an excellent level of uniformity for the multicountry data. However, of the 46 beams measured, a single beam exceeded the permitted tolerance level of ±5%. We investigated the cause for this and solved the problem. This event highlights the importance of external audits in radiation therapy. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japan Radiation Research Society and Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology.

  2. Colposcopy audit for improving quality of service in areas with a high incidence of cervical cancer.

    PubMed

    Manopunya, Manatsawee; Suprasert, Prapaporn; Srisomboon, Jatupol; Kietpeerakool, Chumnan

    2010-01-01

    To audit routine colposcopy performance using 8 standard requirements of the National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP). Records of women who underwent colposcopy for abnormal cervical cytology between January and December 2008 at Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand, were reviewed. The standard requirements were not achieved in 2 practices: (1) the proportion of women who had recordings of visibility of the transformation zone (96.6%) did not achieve the NHSCSP requirement of 100%; and (2) the rate of excisional biopsy (87.8%) was lower than the 95% minimum required. Colposcopic performance at Chiang Mai University Hospital was generally favorable. However, re-audit is necessary to ensure that unmet standards of performance are improved and achieved standards are maintained.

  3. Audit Oversight: DoD Hotline Allegations Concerning Postaward Audits at the Defense Contract Audit Agency Boeing Huntington Beach Resident Office

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-05-04

    should be filed or issue a memorandum clarifying the existing guidance and revise the DCAA Management Information System (DMIS) to allow defective...APO Response. The DCAA comments were not responsive. In the past, we have found inaccuracies in the DCAA management information system . Neither...Audit Agency Management Information System to only allow defective pricing audit assignments to be closed by issuing an audit report or canceling the

  4. Upcoming strategies in obstetrics: how the technology of clinical audit may reduce cesarean birth.

    PubMed

    Paracchini, Sara; Masturzo, Bianca; Tangolo, Domenico; Roletti, Enrica; Piazzese, Annalisa; Attini, Rossella; Rolfo, Alessandro; Todros, Tullia

    2017-12-01

    The rate of cesarean delivery is currently increasing all over Europe. In Italy it reaches 38% of all child births. Therefore, it is important to identify the clinical and organizational variables that determine the appropriateness of elective cesarean delivery. With this aim we chose the technology of clinical audit, a process that promotes improvement in clinical practice through systematic review of clinical care in relation with explicit standards derived from scientific literature. This is a prospective audit: in the period March 2014-July 2014 we analyzed the medical records of 150 women who underwent elective cesarean delivery at Gynecological and Obstetrical University Hospital Sant'Anna, Turin. We collected data related to five quality criteria derived from scientific literature. Each criterion was stratified by indicators and matched with respective standards of adequate care. Criteria and indicators are: 1) cesarean section (CS) rate in twin pregnancies with both cephalic fetal presentation (stratified by dichorionic diamniotic and monochorionic diamniotic); 2) CS rates in preterm births (stratified by gestational age ≤32, ≤34 and ≤37 week); 3) CS rates on maternal request due to tokophobia in patients who received a psychological support during pregnancy; 4) repeated CS rates; 5) multidisciplinary evaluation of the indication to CS for non-obstetric reasons (orthopedic, ophthalmologic, psychiatric and neurological). The rate of CSs found in each criterion was compared with the respective standard in literature. The value obtained for each indicator was tested for statistical significance (CI 95%). We considered performing indicators whose final rate was found to be better or equal to the reference standard. The majority of the indicators result to be performant. CS rate for previous CS was 84% (73/86), far more frequent than the standard of optimal care fixed at ≤30% (P<0.05). Repeated CSs were analyzed in steps IV and V of audit because of the

  5. 41 CFR 102-118.415 - Will the widespread mandatory use of prepayment audits eliminate postpayment audits?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... mandatory use of prepayment audits eliminate postpayment audits? 102-118.415 Section 102-118.415 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management Regulations System (Continued) FEDERAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION TRANSPORTATION 118-TRANSPORTATION PAYMENT AND AUDIT Postpayment Transportation Audits...

  6. 7 CFR 285.4 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Audits. 285.4 Section 285.4 Agriculture Regulations of... PUERTO RICO § 285.4 Audits. (a) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall provide an audit of expenditures in... such audit shall be reported to FNS no later than 120 days from the end of each fiscal year in which...

  7. 50 CFR 401.23 - Audits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 50 Wildlife and Fisheries 7 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Audits. 401.23 Section 401.23 Wildlife and... ENHANCEMENT § 401.23 Audits. The State is required to conduct an audit at least every two years in accordance with the provisions of Attachment P OMB Circular A-102. Failure to conduct audits as required may...

  8. The 'Severe Hypertensive Illness in Pregnancy' (SHIP) audit: promoting quality care using a high risk monitoring chart and eclampsia treatment pack.

    PubMed

    Baldwin, K Joanne; Leighton, Nicola A; Kilby, M D; Wyldes, M; Churchill, D; Jones, P W; Johanson, R B

    2002-07-01

    We set out to measure the standards of care in a regional cohort of women with severe hypertensive illness of pregnancy and to subsequently improve the quality of care using a series of interventions. This was a multi centre cyclical criterion audit involving 21 maternity units in the West Midlands Region. Prospective data collection involved named co-ordinators in each unit using customised proformas. Intervention comprised feedback of baseline results to each hospital, a monitoring chart and eclampsia treatment pack. The first audit period (n = 183) was for a 4-month period between 1/9/96 and 31/12/96 and the second audit period (n = 111) was during the same 4-month period 1 year later. Although compliance with the audit standards set increased in all but one standard, there is clearly a need to make further improvements in the quality of care administered.

  9. Clinical audit TV.

    PubMed

    2010-09-02

    The Clinical Audit Support Centre supports audit projects that improve patient care and enhance service delivery. Its staff work with healthcare and other professionals to deliver practical and user-friendly, quality-improvement materials.

  10. Non-prescription medicines: a process for standards development and testing in community pharmacy.

    PubMed

    Benrimoj, Shalom Charlie I; Gilbert, Andrew; Quintrell, Neil; Neto, Abilio C de Almeida

    2007-08-01

    The objective of the study was to develop and test standards of practice for handling non-prescription medicines. In consultation with pharmacy registering authorities, key professional and consumer groups and selected community pharmacists, standards of practice were developed in the areas of Resource Management; Professional Practice; Pharmacy Design and Environment; and Rights and Needs of Customers. These standards defined and described minimum professional activities required in the provision of non-prescription medicines at a consistent and measurable level of practice. Seven standards were described and further defined by 20 criteria, including practice indicators. The Standards were tested in 40 community pharmacies in two States and after further adaptation, endorsed by all Australian pharmacy registering authorities and major Australian pharmacy and consumer organisations. The consultation process effectively engaged practicing pharmacists in developing standards to enable community pharmacists meet their legislative and professional responsibilities. Community pharmacies were audited against a set of standards of practice for handling non-prescription medicines developed in this project. Pharmacies were audited on the Standards at baseline, mid-intervention and post-intervention. Behavior of community pharmacists and their staff in relation to these standards was measured by conducting pseudo-patron visits to participating pharmacies. The testing process demonstrated a significant improvement in the quality of service delivered by staff in community pharmacies in the management of requests involving non-prescription medicines. The use of pseudo-patron visits, as a training tool with immediate feedback, was an acceptable and effective method of achieving changes in practice. Feedback from staff in the pharmacies regarding the pseudo-patron visits was very positive. Results demonstrated the methodology employed was effective in increasing overall

  11. Safety and predictability of conscious sedation in dentistry -- a multi-centre regional audit: South and West Wales experience.

    PubMed

    Muthukrishnan, A; McGregor, J; Thompson, S

    2013-10-01

    There are no previously published reports of audits in conscious sedation from a group comprising the general dental services (GDS), community dental services (CDS) and hospital dental services (HDS). The main aim of this audit was to assess current practice within the group in relation to the safety and predictability of dental treatment undertaken with the aid of conscious sedation. A total of nine centres collected data prospectively on 1,037 sedation episodes over the course of one year. Audit standards were locally agreed based on current evidence and local experience. They were set at a completion rate of 90% and an adverse incident rate of 2% or less. Based on the data collected, a completion rate of 92% and a minor adverse incident rate of 2.6% were recorded. The participating centres met the standards set locally for this audit. Current practice in the participating centres was found to be safe and predictable. The audit tool is being refined to improve the quality of data collection. Further research and service evaluation is recommended.

  12. HIV testing in dermatology - a national audit.

    PubMed

    Esson, Gavin A; Holme, S A

    2018-05-01

    Forty percent of individuals have late-stage HIV at the time of diagnosis, resulting in increased morbidity. Identifying key diseases which may indicate HIV infection can prompt clinicians to trigger testing, which may result in more timely diagnosis. The British HIV Association has published guidelines on such indicator diseases in dermatology. We audited the practice of HIV testing in UK dermatologists and General Practitioners (GPs) and compared results with the national guidelines. This audit showed that HIV testing in key indicator diseases remains below the standard set out by the national guidelines, and that GPs with special interest in dermatology have a lower likelihood for testing, and lower confidence when compared to consultants, registrars and associate specialists. Large proportions of respondents believed further training in HIV testing would be beneficial.

  13. Building the community voice into planning: 25 years of methods development in social audit.

    PubMed

    Andersson, Neil

    2011-12-21

    Health planners and managers make decisions based on their appreciation of causality. Social audits question the assumptions behind this and try to improve quality of available evidence. The method has its origin in the follow-up of Bhopal survivors in the 1980s, where "cluster cohorts" tracked health events over time. In social audit, a representative panel of sentinel sites are the framework to follow the impact of health programmes or reforms. The epidemiological backbone of social audit tackles causality in a calculated way, balancing computational aspects with appreciation of the limits of the science.Social audits share findings with planners at policy level, health services providers, and users in the household, where final decisions about use of public services rest. Sharing survey results with sample communities and service workers generates a second order of results through structured discussions. Aggregation of these evidence-based community-led solutions across a representative sample provides a rich substrate for decisions. This socialising of evidence for participatory action (SEPA) involves a different skill set but quality control and rigour are still important.Early social audits addressed settings without accepted sample frames, the fundamentals of reproducible questionnaires, and the logistics of data turnaround. Feedback of results to stakeholders was at CIET insistence--and at CIET expense. Later social audits included strong SEPA components. Recent and current social audits are institutionalising high level research methods in planning, incorporating randomisation and experimental designs in a rigorous approach to causality.The 25 years have provided a number of lessons. Social audit reduces the arbitrariness of planning decisions, and reduces the wastage of simply allocating resources the way they were in past years. But too much evidence easily exceeds the uptake capacity of decision takers. Political will of governments often did not match

  14. 38 CFR 41.200 - Audit requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Audit requirements. 41...) AUDITS OF STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Audits § 41.200 Audit requirements. (a) Audit required. Non-Federal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have...

  15. Criteria-based audit to improve quality of care of foetal distress: standardising obstetric care at a national referral hospital in a low resource setting, Tanzania.

    PubMed

    Mgaya, Andrew H; Litorp, Helena; Kidanto, Hussein L; Nyström, Lennarth; Essén, Birgitta

    2016-11-08

    In Tanzania, substandard intrapartum management of foetal distress contributes to a third of perinatal deaths, and the majority are term deliveries. We conducted a criteria-based audit with feedback to determine whether standards of diagnosis and management of foetal distress would be improved in a low-resource setting. During 2013-2015, a criteria-based audit was performed at the national referral hospital in Dar es Salaam. Case files of deliveries with a diagnosis of foetal distress were identified and audited. Two registered nurses under supervision of a nurse midwife, a specialist obstetrician and a consultant obstetrician, reviewed the case files. Criteria for standard diagnosis and management of foetal distress were developed based on international and national guidelines, and literature reviews, and then, stepwise applied, in an audit cycle. During the baseline audit, substandard care was identified, and recommendations for improvement of care were proposed and implemented. The effect of the implementations was assessed by the differences in percentage of standard diagnosis and management between the baseline and re-audit, using Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, when appropriate. In the baseline audit and re-audit, 248 and 251 deliveries with a diagnosis of foetal distress were identified and audited, respectively. The standard of diagnosis increased significantly from 52 to 68 % (p < 0.001). Standards of management improved tenfold from 0.8 to 8.8 % (p < 0.001). Improved foetal heartbeat monitoring using a Fetal Doppler was the major improvement in diagnoses, while change of position of the mother and reduced time interval from decision to perform caesarean section to delivery were the major improvements in management (all p < 0.001). Percentage of cases with substandard diagnosis and management was significantly reduced in both referred public and non-referred private patients (all p ≤ 0.01) but not in non-referred public and

  16. Spinal cord testing: auditing for quality assurance.

    PubMed

    Marr, J A; Reid, B

    1991-04-01

    A quality assurance audit of spinal cord testing as documented by staff nurses was carried out. Twenty-five patient records were examined for accuracy of documented testing and compared to assessments performed by three investigators. A pilot study established interrater reliability of a tool that was designed especially for this study. Results indicated staff nurses failed to meet pre-established 100% standard in all categories of testing when compared with investigator's findings. Possible reasons for this disparity are discussed as well as indications for modifications in the spinal testing record, teaching program and preset standards.

  17. Contracting for Audit Services.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Heifetz, Harry S.

    1987-01-01

    The Single Audit Act of 1984 requires most school districts receiving over $25,000 in federal funds to undergo financial audits. This article highlights requirements for selecting certified public accountants to perform the audit and suggests factors to be considered before drafting a contract or letter of engagement. A sample letter is included.…

  18. Internal audit consider the implications.

    PubMed

    Baumgartner, Grant D; Hamilton, Angela

    2004-06-01

    Internal audit can not only allay external and internal concerns about appropriateness of business operations, but also help improve efficiency and the bottom line. To get an internal audit function under way, healthcare organizations need to obtain board buy-in, form an audit committee of the board, determine resources needed, perform a risk assessment, and develop an internal audit plan.

  19. A Prospective Multi-Center Audit of Nutrition Support Parameters Following Burn Injury.

    PubMed

    Kurmis, Rochelle; Heath, Kathryn; Ooi, Selena; Munn, Zachary; Forbes, Sharon; Young, Vicki; Rigby, Paul; Wood, Kate; Phillips, Frances; Greenwood, John

    2015-01-01

    The importance of nutrition support delivery to the severe burn-injured patient is well recognized, however, nutrition provision to the patient may be sub optimal in practice. The aim of this study was to conduct a prospective multi-center audit across Australia and New Zealand using the Joanna Briggs Institute Burns Node Nutrition audit criteria. Thirty-four patients with severe burn injury (≥20% TBSA in adults and ≥10% TBSA in children) were identified on admission or on referral to the Dietitian at the eight participating Burn Units between February 1, 2012 and April 30, 2012 for inclusion in the study. De-identified patient data was analyzed using the Joanna Briggs Institute, Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System. Compliance with individual audit criterion ranged from 33 to 100%. Provision of prescribed enteral feed volumes and weekly weighing of patients were highlighted as key areas for clinical improvement. Clinical audit is a valuable tool for evaluating current practice against best evidence to ensure that quality patient care is delivered. The use of the Joanna Briggs Institute Burns Node audit criteria has allowed for a standardized multi-center audit to be conducted. Improving nutrition support delivery in burn patients was identified as a key area requiring ongoing clinical improvement across Australia and New Zealand. Clinician feedback on use of the audit criteria will allow for future refinement of individual criterion, and presentation of results of this audit has resulted in a review of the Bi-National Burns Registry nutrition quality indicators.

  20. 32 CFR 37.1325 - Periodic audit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 32 National Defense 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Periodic audit. 37.1325 Section 37.1325 National... TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS Definitions of Terms Used in This Part § 37.1325 Periodic audit. An audit of... awards. Appendix C to this part describes what such an audit may cover. A periodic audit of a participant...

  1. 29 CFR 99.230 - Audit costs.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Audit costs. 99.230 Section 99.230 Labor Office of the Secretary of Labor AUDITS OF STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Audits § 99.230 Audit... years ending after December 31, 2003) and is thereby exempted under § 99.200(d) from having an audit...

  2. Industrial Energy Audit Guidebook: Guidelines for Conducting an Energy Audit in Industrial Facilities

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hasanbeigi, Ali; Price, Lynn

    Various studies in different countries have shown that significant energy-efficiency improvement opportunities exist in the industrial sector, many of which are cost-effective. These energy-efficiency options include both cross-cutting as well as sector-specific measures. However, industrial plants are not always aware of energy-efficiency improvement potentials. Conducting an energy audit is one of the first steps in identifying these potentials. Even so, many plants do not have the capacity to conduct an effective energy audit. In some countries, government policies and programs aim to assist industry to improve competitiveness through increased energy efficiency. However, usually only limited technical and financial resources formore » improving energy efficiency are available, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Information on energy auditing and practices should, therefore, be prepared and disseminated to industrial plants. This guidebook provides guidelines for energy auditors regarding the key elements for preparing for an energy audit, conducting an inventory and measuring energy use, analyzing energy bills, benchmarking, analyzing energy use patterns, identifying energy-efficiency opportunities, conducting cost-benefit analysis, preparing energy audit reports, and undertaking post-audit activities. The purpose of this guidebook is to assist energy auditors and engineers in the plant to conduct a well-structured and effective energy audit.« less

  3. 15 CFR 295.10 - Special reporting and auditing requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Special reporting and auditing requirements. 295.10 Section 295.10 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS...

  4. 15 CFR 295.10 - Special reporting and auditing requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Special reporting and auditing requirements. 295.10 Section 295.10 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS...

  5. 15 CFR 295.10 - Special reporting and auditing requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Special reporting and auditing requirements. 295.10 Section 295.10 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS...

  6. 15 CFR 295.10 - Special reporting and auditing requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Special reporting and auditing requirements. 295.10 Section 295.10 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS...

  7. 15 CFR 295.10 - Special reporting and auditing requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Special reporting and auditing requirements. 295.10 Section 295.10 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS...

  8. Defense Contract Audit Agency Audits of Contractor Compliance with Cost Accounting Standards

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1999-01-11

    20301-1900. The identity of each writer and caller is fully protected. Acronyms ACO CAM CAS CO DCAA DCMC DFARS FAR FAO FMIS GAAP GAAS...Accounting Principles ( GAAP ) and accounting methods accepted for income tax purposes by the Internal Revenue Service. The purpose of GAAP is to report cost...information for financial statement purposes GAAP was developed primarily for stockholder use and protection, not to control expenditures on

  9. Independent Auditors Report on the Examination of DoD Execution of Afghanistan National Army Trust Fund Donations to the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-07-31

    conducted this attestation engagement in accordance with examination engagement standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public...Accountants and with generally accepted government auditing standards. We appreciate the courtesies extended to the staff. Please direct questions to me at...2015-154 Contents Audit Opinion __________________________________________________________________________1 Internal Controls

  10. A survey of community child health audit.

    PubMed

    Spencer, N J; Penlington, E

    1993-03-01

    Community child health medical audit is established in most districts surveyed. A minority have integrated audit with hospital paediatric units. Very few districts use an external auditor. Subject audit is preferred to individual performance audit and school health services were the most common services subjected to medical audit. The need for integrated audit and audit forms suitable for use in the community services is discussed.

  11. Communication of Audit Risk to Students.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Alderman, C. Wayne; Thompson, James H.

    1986-01-01

    This article focuses on audit risk by examining it in terms of its components: inherent risk, control risk, and detection risk. Discusses applying audit risk, a definition of audit risk, and components of audit risk. (CT)

  12. CAGE, RAPS4, RAPS4-QF and AUDIT Screening Tests for Men and Women Admitted for Acute Alcohol Intoxication to an Emergency Department: Are Standard Thresholds Appropriate?

    PubMed Central

    Geneste, J.; Pereira, B.; Arnaud, B.; Christol, N.; Liotier, J.; Blanc, O.; Teissedre, F.; Hope, S.; Schwan, R.; Llorca, P.M.; Schmidt, J.; Cherpitel, C.J.; Malet, L.; Brousse, G.

    2012-01-01

    Aims: A number of screening instruments are routinely used in Emergency Department (ED) situations to identify alcohol-use disorders (AUD). We wished to study the psychometric features, particularly concerning optimal thresholds scores (TSs), of four assessment scales frequently used to screen for abuse and/or dependence, the cut-down annoyed guilty eye-opener (CAGE), Rapid Alcohol Problem Screen 4 (RAPS4), RAPS4-quantity-frequency and AUD Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaires, particularly in the sub-group of people admitted for acute alcohol intoxication (AAI). Methods: All included patients [AAI admitted to ED (blood alcohol level ≥0.8 g/l)] were assessed by the four scales, and with a gold standard (alcohol dependence⁄abuse section of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview), to determine AUD status. To investigate the TSs of the scales, we used Youden's index, efficiency, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve techniques and quality ROC curve technique for optimized TS (indices of quality). Results: A total of 164 persons (122 males, 42 females) were included in the study. Nineteen (11.60%) were identified as alcohol abusers alone and 128 (78.1%) as alcohol dependents (DSM-IV). Results suggest a statistically significant difference between men and women (P < 0.05) in performance of the screening tests RAPS4 (≥1) and CAGE (≥2) for detecting abuse. Also, in this population, we show an increase in TSs of RAPS4 (≥2) and CAGE (≥3) for detecting dependence compared with those typically accepted in non-intoxicated individuals. The AUDIT test demonstrates good performance for detecting alcohol abuse and/or alcohol-dependent patients (≥7 for women and ≥12 for men) and for distinguishing alcohol dependence (≥11 for women and ≥14 for men) from other conditions. Conclusion: Our study underscores for the first time the need to adapt, taking into account gender, the thresholds of tests typically used for detection of abuse and

  13. First episode of psychosis - an audit of service engagement and management at 1-2 year follow-up.

    PubMed

    Milner, E C; Rowlands, P; Gardner, B; Ashby, F

    2001-01-01

    The study aimed to develop and implement local audit standards for management and service engagement in the follow-up of patients suffering from a 'first episode of psychosis'. Audit standards, developed following a literature review and consultation with colleagues, were incorporated into a questionnaire for distribution to the community keyworkers of a 'first episode of psychosis' cohort at 1-2 years of follow-up. Most satisfied standards for engagement (91%) and maintenance medication (91%). Forty-two to sixty-three per cent had received psychological, family and educational interventions but these often lacked theoretical basis and detailed content. Admission, deliberate self-harm and forensic contacts were infrequent. Less than half had any structured daytime activity. Priorities identified for improving services for this group include adequate staff training in psychosocial interventions and more active planning and resourcing of day care and other constructive daytime activities. Simple locally-developed audit standards such as those described for a 'first episode of psychosis' population can offer a useful way of assessing service delivery and highlighting areas for development.

  14. Use of a guideline based questionnaire to audit hospital care of acute asthma.

    PubMed Central

    Bell, D; Layton, A J; Gabbay, J

    1991-01-01

    OBJECTIVES--To design an audit questionnaire and pilot its use by an audit assistant to monitor inpatient management of acute asthma and to compare the care given by chest physicians and general physicians. DESIGN--Retrospective review by a chest physician and audit assistant of a random sample of 76 case records of patients by a criterion based questionnaire developed from hospital guidelines on management of acute asthma. SETTING--One district general hospital. PATIENTS--76 adult patients with acute asthma: 38 admitted with a relevant primary diagnosis between April 1988 and March 1989 and a further 38 admitted through the accident and emergency department between April 1989 and March 1990. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Conformity with recognised standards for assessment and management of acute asthma before and after the audit and by chest physicians and general physicians. RESULTS--Age and sex did not differ significantly between the different groups of patients. Overall, deviations from the guidelines occurred in recording measures of severity of asthma, emergency treatment with beta 2 agonists (60/76, 79%) and steroids (43/76, 57%), and prescription of antibiotics in accordance with at least one criterion of the guidelines (29/45, 64%). Chest physicians were more rigorous than general physicians in recording severity measures, especially serum potassium concentration (chi 2 = 3.6, df = 1, p = 0.06), emergency steroid treatment within the correct period (chi 2 = 3.9, df = 1, p = 0.05), and referral for follow up at an outpatient chest clinic. Recording of arterial blood gas tensions improved significantly between the 1988-9 and 1989-90 samples (chi 2 = 7.0, df = 1, p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS--The questionnaire proved easy to use for both doctor and audit assistant. The audit improved few standards of care and emphasises the need for further reinforcement and feedback. PMID:2070112

  15. Improving the quality of obstetric care for women with obstructed labour in the national referral hospital in Uganda: lessons learnt from criteria based audit.

    PubMed

    Kayiga, Herbert; Ajeani, Judith; Kiondo, Paul; Kaye, Dan K

    2016-07-11

    Obstructed labour remains a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality whose complications can be reduced with improved quality of obstetric care. The objective was to assess whether criteria-based audit improves quality of obstetric care provided to women with obstructed labour in Mulago hospital, Uganda. Using criteria-based audit, management of obstructed labour was analyzed prospectively in two audits. Six standards of care were compared. An initial audit of 180 patients was conducted in September/October 2013. The Audit results were shared with key stakeholders. Gaps in patient management were identified and recommendations for improving obstetric care initiated. Six standards of care (intravenous fluids, intravenous antibiotics, monitoring of maternal vital signs, bladder catheterization, delivery within two hours, and blood grouping and cross matching) were implemented. A re-audit of 180 patients with obstructed labour was conducted four months later to evaluate the impact of these recommendations. The results of the two audits were compared. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted among healthcare providers to identify factors that could have influenced the audit results. There was improvement in two standards of care (intravenous fluids and intravenous antibiotic administration) 58.9 % vs. 86.1 %; p < 0.001 and 21.7 % vs. 50.5 %; P < 0.001 respectively after the second audit. There was no improvement in vital sign monitoring, delivery within two hours or blood grouping and cross matching. There was a decline in bladder catheterization (94 % vs. 68.9 %; p < 0.001. The overall mean care score in the first and second audits was 55.1 and 48.2 % respectively, p = 0.19. Healthcare factors (negative attitude, low numbers, poor team work, low motivation), facility factors (poor supervision, stock-outs of essential supplies, absence of protocols) and patient factors (high patient load, poor compliance to

  16. Clinical audit, a valuable tool to improve quality of care: General methodology and applications in nephrology.

    PubMed

    Esposito, Pasquale; Dal Canton, Antonio

    2014-11-06

    Evaluation and improvement of quality of care provided to the patients are of crucial importance in the daily clinical practice and in the health policy planning and financing. Different tools have been developed, including incident analysis, health technology assessment and clinical audit. The clinical audit consist of measuring a clinical outcome or a process, against well-defined standards set on the principles of evidence-based medicine in order to identify the changes needed to improve the quality of care. In particular, patients suffering from chronic renal diseases, present many problems that have been set as topics for clinical audit projects, such as hypertension, anaemia and mineral metabolism management. Although the results of these studies have been encouraging, demonstrating the effectiveness of audit, overall the present evidence is not clearly in favour of clinical audit. These findings call attention to the need to further studies to validate this methodology in different operating scenarios. This review examines the principle of clinical audit, focusing on experiences performed in nephrology settings.

  17. A multi-setting audit of the management of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

    PubMed

    Morgan, Jane; Donnell, Andre; Bell, Anita

    2010-05-28

    To audit current management of genital chlamydia infection in the Waikato District Health Board (DHB), using 2008 Ministry of Health (MOH) management guidelines as the standard. Any setting within Waikato DHB that diagnosed 25 or more cases of chlamydia during February-October 2008 was eligible to participate. Each site was asked to complete an audit using a proforma for 20 consecutive cases. Nineteen of 20 eligible sites provided data on 415 cases; 18.4% of all Waikato DHB cases during the 9 months. Treatment was documented for 380 (91.6%); of these, 369 (97.1%), or 88.9% of all 415 cases, had treatment within 28 days. Documentation of discussions with cases and outcomes was limited, restricting assessment of actual practice. Nonetheless, effective partner notification was lacking. Participants noted they had reviewed their own processes and made suggestions for improvements. The audit has identified potential gaps between recommendations within the MOH guidelines and current practice. This has helped the development of ongoing education and training resources for local providers. Further, it is hoped participation in the audit may contribute to improved case management in high-caseload settings in our district. There is commitment to re-audit to evaluate this.

  18. 25 CFR 39.410 - What qualifications must an audit firm meet to be considered for auditing ISEP administration?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... considered for auditing ISEP administration? 39.410 Section 39.410 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS... qualifications must an audit firm meet to be considered for auditing ISEP administration? To be considered for auditing ISEP administration under this subpart, an independent audit firm must: (a) Be a licensed...

  19. How is feedback from national clinical audits used? Views from English National Health Service trust audit leads.

    PubMed

    Taylor, Angelina; Neuburger, Jenny; Walker, Kate; Cromwell, David; Groene, Oliver

    2016-04-01

    To explore how the output of national clinical audits in England is used by professionals and whether and how their impact could be enhanced. A mixed-methods study with the primary recipients of four national clinical audits of cancer care of 607 local audit leads, 274 (45%) completed a questionnaire and 32 participated in an interview. Our questions focused on how the audits were used and whether barriers existed to using the audits for local service improvement. We described variation in questionnaire responses between the audits using chi-squared tests. Results are reported as percentages with their 95% confidence intervals. Qualitative data were analysed using Framework analysis. More than 90% of survey respondents believed that the audit findings were relevant to their clinical work, and interviewees described how they used the audits for a range of purposes. Forty-two percent of survey respondents said they had changed their clinical practice, and 56% had implemented service improvements in response to the audits. The degree of change differed between the four audits, evident in both the questionnaire and the interview data. In the interviews, two recurring barriers emerged: (1) the importance of data quality, which, in turn, influenced the perceived relevance and validity of the audit data and therefore the ability to make changes based on it and (2) the need for clear presentation of benchmarked local performance data. The perceived authority and credibility of the professional bodies supporting the audits was a key factor underpinning the use of the audit findings. National cancer audit and feedback is used to improve services, but their impact could be enhanced by improving the data quality and relevance of feedback. © The Author(s) 2016.

  20. Patient dosimetry audit for establishing local diagnostic reference levels for nuclear medicine CT.

    PubMed

    Gardner, Matthew; Katsidzira, Ngonidzashe M; Ross, Erin; Larkin, Elizabeth A

    2017-03-01

    To establish a system for patient dosimetry audit and setting of local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) for nuclear medicine (NM) CT. Computed radiological information system (CRIS) data were matched with NM paper records, which provided the body region and dose mode for NMCT carried out at a large UK hospital. It was necessary to divide data in terms of the NM examination type, body region and dose mode. The mean and standard deviation dose-length products (DLPs) for common NMCT examinations were then calculated and compared with the proposed National Diagnostic Reference Levels (NDRLs). Only procedures which have 10 or more patients will be used to suggest LDRLs. For most examinations, the mean DLPs do not exceed the proposed NDRLs. The bone single-photon emission CT/CT lumbar spine data clearly show the need to divide data according to the purpose of the scan (dose mode), with mean (±standard error) DLPs ranging from 51 ± 5 mGy cm (low dose) to 1086 ± 124 mGy cm (metal dose). A system for NMCT patient dose audit has been developed, but there are non-trivial challenges which make the process labour intensive. These include limited information provided by CRIS downloads, dependence on paper records and limited number of examinations available owing to the need to subdivide data. Advances in knowledge: This article demonstrates that a system can be developed for NMCT patient dose audit, but also highlights the challenges associated with such audit, which may not be encountered with more routine audit of radiology CT.