Conveying Trust in Diagnostic Imaging Services

UKJAS is the sole Private Accreditation Body of India & the UK, recognized by the Government to assess and pronounce the competence of an organization. The standards used in accreditation are internationally agreed – for example ISO 15189, or professionally developed, for example IQIPS and MPACE.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and College of Radiographers (CoR) have developed the Quality Standard for Imaging (IQS) to support diagnostic imaging services in making continuous improvements, ensuring patients consistently receive high-quality services delivered by competent staff working in safe environments.

Services meet the standard through accreditation via application to UKJAS.

The standard reflects wide consultation with professional stakeholders, as well as relevant India & UK government agencies and regulatory bodies. It has been reviewed for use in all the countries of India & the UK.

Accreditation requires Imaging services to demonstrate the following:

Quality management and internal audit systems showing coordinated processes are in place that are subject to regular review and monitoring.
Local policies and procedures integrate best professional and regulatory requirements.
Equipment that is selected, installed, maintained, and subjected to regular quality assurance testing to ensure that it functions effectively and safely.
Staff that are demonstrably competent and systems to maintain this on an ongoing basis.
Provision of a patient-focused service that seeks and acts on patient feedback.

Therefore, accreditation benefits both the Imaging services and the managers of Imaging services, as it demonstrates compliance with defined standards and best practice.

QSI – Your Key to Delivering Quality Imaging Services

The IQS standard is clearly laid out and straightforward. It covers the key components of an Imaging service’s performance:

Governance and Management Structure – to ensure appropriate governance and managerial controls to support staff to deliver the service.
Workforce – to ensure that adequate resources are in place to offer the service, and that staff are supported and developed to their full potential.
Quality and Service Plans – to ensure that quality improvement is at the heart of the organization to safeguard high standards of care.
Clinical Processes – to promote the service’s role in rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Patient Experience – to ensure that service delivery is patient-centered and respectful of the individual and their specific requirements.
Facilities – to ensure that the environment in which the service is delivered is safe, efficient, comfortable, and accessible to all individuals.
Safety – to ensure that the service provides the highest level of safety for patients, staff, and others who come into contact with the service.

As expected in healthcare, the accreditation process is rigorous. However, all services that have achieved IQS accreditation believe that it is worthwhile and that it has strengthened their service.

Pre-application Support

The Royal College of Radiologists and the College of Radiographers can support your preparation for accreditation and show your team how it could work for you and the benefits it will bring. Please contact the Quality Improvement Partners at [email protected] for more information, access to online workshops, and networking opportunities.

UKJAS Website

Visit our website – https://www.ukjas.com – for access to the Quality Standard for Imaging, information about how to apply for accreditation, FAQs, and case studies.

You can also access the IMA India position statement on accreditation schemes for diagnostic services, which strongly endorses participation of diagnostic services in accreditation schemes and asks that managers consider these schemes as essential when assessing high-quality diagnostic services.

UKJAS Workshops

Our UKJAS Training Institute provides workshops and courses for the healthcare sector.

UKJAS and IQS Preparation for Accreditation Workshop

This workshop will provide information on the IQS Standard, what the accreditation process involves, and how to present evidence. This workshop can be provided as a custom day tailored to your service.

Integrated Quality Management for the Healthcare Sector

This training course provides insight into how the organizational processes of a healthcare service provider can be combined effectively with the requirements of the IQS standard.

Internal Audit for Healthcare Course

This training course provides the skills required to deliver audits to support service users and patients while meeting the requirements of the IQS standard.

Our Institute is also developing a number of eLearning courses which are free of cost to our UKJAS clients, available at www.ukjas.com.

Top Tips for Successful Accreditation to the IQS Standard

Familiarize yourself with the accreditation standard and complete a gap analysis so you understand the scale of the task.
Engage with the RCR and CoR who can provide valuable free support in your preparation for accreditation from the beginning.
Network with other IQS participants.
Assemble a core multi-disciplinary team who truly want to achieve accreditation. Ensure senior management understand the benefits and are fully committed and supportive.
Involve all staff so that accreditation ‘belongs to’ and isn’t ‘done to’ them.
Encourage staff to become assessors to gain further knowledge about the process.
Appoint a quality lead with quality management experience and dedicated time to coordinate the work and lead the project.
Devise, resource, and execute a project plan with realistic timescales and update staff on the progress.
Develop a robust quality management system and regularly review its processes.
Ensure documentation is standardized, controlled, and reviewed regularly.
Establish a quality improvement program that includes a comprehensive internal audit plan.
Engage local patient and service user focus groups.
Liaise with your Assessment Manager throughout the accreditation process to stay on track.
Remember that this process will improve your service both for your patients and for your staff.

How to Become a Technical Assessor or Expert for UKJAS

If you are interested in becoming part of the team that assesses Imaging services for UKJAS accreditation, then please see the information on the UKJAS website – https://www.ukjas.com

This is a voluntary role with a modest commitment for remote or on-site assessments. It provides excellent CPD opportunities for the individual and will support Imaging employers to develop a service that is safe, effective, and continuously improving.

UKJAS is currently recruiting Radiologists, Radiographers, Sonographers, and Nuclear Medicine Technologists.

How to Apply for Accreditation

If you are interested in applying to become an accredited Imaging service, please follow this link to find an overview of the process and the key stages.
https://www.ukjas.com

How to Find an Accredited Organization

If you would like to find an accredited Imaging service, please visit our website –
https://www.ukjas.com

UK Head Office
UKJAS Accreditation Pvt. Ltd (UKJAS)
UKJAS House
C/O Mr.Garry, 54 Glengarnock Avenue,
Isle Of Dogs, London E14 3BP, UK
Tel.: +44 8369063940
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ukjas.com

MUMBAI Head Office
UKJAS Accreditation Pvt. Ltd (UKJAS)
UKJAS House
B-401, New Om Kaveri CHS Ltd., Nagindaspada,
Next To Shiv Sena Office, Nallasopara (E)
Tel.: +91 7499991895
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ukjas.com

DELHI-NCR Regd. Office
UKJAS Accreditation Pvt. Ltd (UKJAS)
UKJAS House
Asaoti, Dist Palwal
Faridabad, Delhi NCR, Haryana
Tel.: +91-7979801035
Fax: +91-250-2341170
Website: www.ukjas.com