What is IQIPS 2023 and why is it important?

The Improving Quality In Physiological Services (IQIPS) 2023 standard is a comprehensive framework designed to ensure healthcare providers deliver physiological services that are accurate, effective, safe, efficient, responsive, accessible and sustainable. This standard establishes rigorous requirements for quality management systems specifically tailored to physiological science disciplines, helping healthcare organizations demonstrate their commitment to excellence in patient safety. 

IQIPS 2023 is applicable to healthcare providers across multiple physiological disciplines including Audiology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Cardiac Physiology, Respiratory & Sleep Physiology, Vascular Science, Ophthalmic & Vision Science, Gastrointestinal Physiology and Urodynamics. Effectively, if you operate in a healthcare setting where meeting patient expectations and regulatory compliance in physiological services are crucial, IQIPS 2023 is relevant for you.  

IQIPS 2023, the latest version of the standard, builds upon IQIPS 2012 but has been revised to align with ISO15189, BS70000, QSI and CQC quality statements. 

Who is IQIPS 2023 for? 

IQIPS 2023 is relevant to a vast array of healthcare organizations providing physiological services across different clinical disciplines. Examples include NHS trusts, private healthcare providers, clinical diagnostic centers, and specialized physiological service units, all of which benefit from the structured quality management system approach mandated by IQIPS 2023. 

The standard emphasizes patient-centered care and incorporates a comprehensive approach to quality management, enabling healthcare organizations to identify opportunities for improvement and minimize risks across all aspects of physiological service delivery. 

For a full breakdown on how Ideagen Quality Management supports your organization in achieving IQIPS compliance you can download our guide – Ideagen Quality Management for IQIPS: 

Key healthcare disciplines covered 

IQIPS 2023 serves as the quality framework for eight specialized physiological science disciplines: 

• Audiology 
• Clinical Neurophysiology 
• Cardiac Physiology 
• Respiratory & Sleep Physiology 
• Vascular Science 
• Ophthalmic & Vision Science 
• Gastrointestinal Physiology 
• Urodynamics 

By establishing a robust and comprehensive quality management framework, IQIPS 2023 provides these specialized disciplines with the foundational elements required to address specific clinical needs while ensuring a consistent approach to quality management across all physiological services. 

Why IQIPS 2023 is critical for healthcare providers 

IQIPS 2023 is of paramount importance for healthcare organizations looking to bolster their quality assurance efforts. IQIPS certification demonstrates the reliability of processes and the quality of clinical outcomes. The standard involves requirements for internal audits, management reviews, and continuous improvement processes, underscoring an organization's commitment to patient safety and satisfaction. 

Additionally, many NHS commissioning groups and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) increasingly require IQIPS certification as a prerequisite for service contracts, particularly for Clinical Diagnostic Centers (CDCs). 

Recognition and regulatory support 

NHS England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), NHS Improvement, and professional physiology bodies recognise the importance of the IQIPS scheme in contributing to quality outcomes for patients. The CQC also recognizes the IQIPS scheme when rating healthcare organizations, making it a valuable asset for regulatory compliance. 

Is IQIPS 2023 a requirement for healthcare providers? 

While IQIPS 2023 is not universally mandatory, it is increasingly becoming essential for organizations providing services in the disciplines listed above. There is a contractual requirement for any Clinical Diagnostic Centres (CDC) to have accreditation for the diagnostic activity within two years of set up. 

When the implications of poor quality in physiological services can directly impact patient safety, diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes, IQIPS 2023 serves as a robust framework ensuring reliability and clinical excellence. 

What are the benefits of IQIPS 2023 accreditation? 

The benefits of IQIPS 2023 certification extend far beyond regulatory compliance. Key advantages include: 

Quality and safety benefits: 

• Assurance of quality practices and clinical outcomes recognized nationally 
• Enhanced patient safety through standardized processes and procedures 
• Improved clinical governance and risk management 
• Better patient experience through patient-centered care approaches 

Operational benefits: 

• Streamlined processes and reduced clinical errors 
• Enhanced staff competence through structured training programs 
• Improved equipment management and calibration processes 
• Better document control and information management 

Strategic benefits: 

• Meeting commissioner and contractual requirements 
• Enhanced reputation and credibility with patients and stakeholders 
• Competitive advantage over non-accredited services 
• Foundation for continuous improvement and innovation 

Financial benefits: 

• Reduced costs through more efficient practices and fewer errors 
• Better resource utilization and equipment management 
• Improved staff retention through structured development programs 
• Enhanced ability to secure contracts and funding 

The five domains of IQIPS 2023 

The IQIPS 2023 standard is structured around five comprehensive domains that cover all aspects of physiological service delivery: 

Leadership and management domain 

This domain focuses on governance, quality policy, document control and management systems. It includes requirements for: 

• Quality management system establishment and maintenance 
• Document and record control 
• Subcontracting and outsourcing management 
• Non-conformity identification and prevention 
• QMS effectiveness evaluation and audit 

Clinical domain 

The clinical domain ensures technical quality and clinical excellence, covering: 

• Service delivery from referral to discharge 
• Referral management and patient preparation 
• Technical quality assurance of clinical activities 
• Clinical records, interpretations and reporting 
• Clinical information systems management 

Patient experience domain 

This domain emphasizes patient-centered care and includes: 

• Patient-focused service delivery 
• Information availability and accessibility 
• Consent processes and patient rights 
• Feedback and complaints management 

Safety and risk management domain 

This critical domain focuses on comprehensive risk management and safety protocols: 

• Overall health and safety and risk management strategy 
• Risk assessments to identify clinical and non-clinical risks 
• Comprehensive and up-to-date risk register maintenance 
• Tools to record, report, investigate and manage adverse incidents 
• Management of patient safety alerts and appropriate actions 
• Regular health and safety training for all staff 
• Readily available, well-maintained health and safety equipment 

Facilities and resources domain 

• The final domain covers infrastructure and resource management: 
• Facilities and environment management 
• External services and supplier selection 
• Equipment, reagents and consumables management 
• Equipment procurement, calibration and maintenance 
• Staff recruitment, training and competence assurance 

How digital quality management solutions support IQIPS 2023 compliance 

Modern quality management software, like Ideagen Quality Management, can fundamentally improve compliance with IQIPS 2023 by providing: 

• Integrated document management for policy control and version management 
• Audit management tools for internal and external assessment preparation 
• Non-conformance tracking and corrective action management 
• Equipment management for calibration and maintenance scheduling 
• Training management for staff competence tracking 
• Risk management and incident reporting capabilities 
• Analytics and reporting for continuous improvement initiatives 

Ideagen quality management solutions provide comprehensive support for all five domains of IQIPS 2023, helping healthcare organizations streamline their compliance processes while focusing on delivering exceptional patient care. 

IQIPS 2023 represents a crucial standard for healthcare organizations providing physiological services. Its comprehensive approach to quality management, emphasis on patient-centered care, and alignment with national quality frameworks make it an essential tool for organizations seeking to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in healthcare. 

Whether you're a healthcare provider looking to enhance your service quality, meet commissioner requirements, or simply ensure the best possible outcomes for your patients, IQIPS 2023 provides the structured framework needed to achieve these goals. 

IQIPS 2023 compliance is an investment in your staff's development, and most importantly, your patients' safety and satisfaction. With the support of modern quality management solutions and the guidance of experienced professionals, achieving and maintaining IQIPS 2023 accreditation is not just achievable—it's essential for healthcare organizations committed to excellence in physiological services.