HQIP has released updated guidance stating the ethical principles that should be applied to every QI project, clinial audit or service evaluation. These include considering:
- Favourable benefit/risk balance
- Scientifically valid
- Equitable and reflecting priorities
- Value
- Awareness of conflict of obligation to patients.
"Many people think that only research studies require ethical review. However, any activity that poses a risk of psychological or physical harm to a patient should have ethical consideration, including a QI project, a clinical audit or a service evaluation."
HQIP states that poorly designed QI projects or Clinical Audits are an ethical issue because they waste time and may produce misleading results or risk patient safety through inappropriate changes in practice as a result. The process of thinking through the activity and applying ethical principles is likely to enhance the credibility of quality improvement and audit projects.
Read the full guidance www.hqip.org.uk
