Equity Audits
Policy
We regularly audit patient data to understand our patient population. Auditing current data helps us benchmark current performance and uncover disparities in access or outcomes from different groups within our population.
How often do you audit equity data?
The equity champion oversees audits of equity data quarterly, or when possible inequities are identified.
We use 
quantitative data when it is available. We gather this data from:
- internal practice data
- PHO audit reports
- He Ako Hiringa data
- DrInfo audit reports
We also consider qualitative data where appropriate. For example:
- patient interactions with staff
- word-of-mouth feedback
- complaints.
See also Patient Experience and Collaboration and Partnership.
Audit results are used to identify and plan quality improvement activities. Health equity is a standing item in clinical governance meetings.
How do you share audit findings with the practice team?
Health equity audit findings and progress are shared with the practice team and included in employees' performance plans. Audit findings are displayed in staff-only spaces and discussed at practice meetings.
We regularly collaborate with community providers to ensure our services and programmes are equitable and evidence-based.
See also Patient Data.
Audit priorities
Priority for audits is given to issues that are known or suspected to affect the practice's priority groups.
Known NZ-wide inequities may be audited if there are no obvious issues to audit in the practice population.
See bpac: Clinical Audits, He Ako Hiringa, and HSQC: Atlas of Healthcare Variation.