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Title of Systematic Narrative
Review
The use of standards in the
regulations of adult health and
social care establishments in the
community
Abstract
Context
Standards are used by regulators to benchmark the standard care should
not fall below. The arrangements to regulate health and social care vary
across the UK and internationally, including the approach, methodology
and standards used.
This review mapped the role of standards in regulation, what influence
standards have in regulation, evidence of providers using standards and
outcomes, some of which have been unintended.
The intention of this review was to map the influence of standards in
regulation. The findings will inform the ongoing development of regulation
approaches and methodology in the Regulation and Quality Improvement
Authority that improve safe, effective, compassionate and well led care in
health and social care settings in Northern Ireland.
Methods employed in the review
The method of sourcing the peer reviewed studies was three database
searches in Medline (Ovid), CINHAL and Social Care Online. The
searches identified empirical research which was refined using clearly
defined inclusion criteria.
The concept groups were:
Adult Health and Social Care services of the type that are regulated in the
community AND Regulatory processes and methods AND Adults:
International terms were used and truncation retrieved the multiple
variations of each word. Fourteen studies were sourced through database
searches and expert searches sourced two additional studies.
Findings
The synthesis found behaviours that promote quality outcomes, quality
improvement or compliance with standards do not exist in isolation.
Standards are used internationally to measure where care should not fall
below. However the regulatory approach; the providers understanding of
their role; the way the standard is written and how it is interpreted can
influence if standards achieve their intended outcomes.