Standards for health care: a necessary but unknown quantity

In developing its first seven standards for implementation by all health service providers in Queensland, the Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC)1 considered the questions raised by Brand and colleagues2 regarding health care standards. We believe that the HQCC standards fit the framework suggested by Brand et al in that they are regulated, the measures of processes and outcomes are quantitative, and the criteria used for their development are evidence-based. In seeking to minimise conceptual confusion, the HQCC has “regulated” existing clinical guidelines and health standards with the aim of improving the quality of health services by requiring providers to establish systems to monitor and report on key aspects of care. The standards address the following areas: