Radiology regains accreditation
DUNEDIN Hospital’s radiology department has regained its accreditation status, more than 18 months after auditors suspended it.
International Accreditation New Zealand, a Crown entity which audits laboratories and inspection bodies and certifies their competence, suspended the radiology department’s accreditation in March 2018 due to concerns regarding its software, staff shortages and long waiting lists.
It also took strong issue with the condition of the service’s facilities, which had problems with leaks and asbestos.
The service was still able to function, but risked losing funding for ACC work following the suspension of its accreditation.
The Southern District Health Board promised to regain accreditation, and soon after the March report undertook considerable repairs.
Additional evening and weekend shifts were put on to address waiting lists, and the SDHB negotiated an agreement with its IT supplier over continuing support for its soontobecomeobsolete information management system.
SDHB specialist services director Patrick Ng told a commissioners meeting in January that IANZ had recently inspected the facility, and that he was confident radiology would be reaccredited at its next inspection.
Mr Ng told hospital staff last week that radiology’s final IANZ test was good enough to give it the all clear.
‘‘Although IANZ accreditation isn’t an absolute requirement, the Ministry of Health does have an expectation that radiology services will maintain or work towards it,’’ Mr Ng said.
‘‘The reaccreditation means the DHB can have confidence that the service meets international accreditation status and that revenue from contracts requiring this, such as contract work for ACC, will continue.’’
Mr Ng thanked all staff involved in ensuring radiology met the requirements for reaccreditation.
‘‘It has taken a lot of hard work and it’s a credit to all those involved for making this happen.’’