Health Information and Quality Authority

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA, /ˈhɪkwæ/; Irish: An t-Údarás um Fhaisnéis agus Cáilíocht Sláinte) is a statutory, government-funded agency in Ireland which monitors the safety and quality of the healthcare and social care systems.^[1] Mooted as early as 2001,^[2] HIQA received its powers and mandate in May 2007 under the Health Act 2007. The Authority also exercises functions under the Child Care Act 1991 and the Children Act 2001.^[3]

Hospitals

The Authority has produced a number of reports and recommendations on the safety of care in both public and private hospitals.^[4][5][1] HIQA is also tasked with inspecting hygiene standards in public hospitals.^[6]

As well as performing hospital evaluations, HIQA is charged with implementing electronic health records^[7] and information governance,^[8] investigating waiting times,^[9] and protecting whistleblowers.^[10]

Nursing homes

After the Leas Cross scandal, there was increased demand for inspection of both private and public nursing homes. As a result, HIQA was given powers to register, inspect and, via application to court, close nursing homes and similar residential services delivering sub-standard care.^[11][12]

Social care

HIQA has issued reports on foster care services, describing a lack of assessment of carers^[13] and criticising the "significant failure" by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to monitor children in care.^[14] In particular, HIQA raised concerns over the Dublin and North East areas.^[15]

See also

• Department of Health (Ireland)
• Evidence-based medicine
• Health Service Executive
• Hospital accreditation
• Joint Commission
• List of international healthcare accreditation organizations
• Medical ethics
• Patient safety
• Patient safety organization
• URAC
• Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (Northern Ireland)