Safety and quality update
New this month: NSQHS Standards consultation; ACSQHC Clinical Care Standards Excellence Awards; WebAIRS wrong-sided nerve blocks
National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (3rd edition)
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC) has commenced a public consultation to inform the development of the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.). The consultation closes on 30 September 2025.
ACSQHC 10th Anniversary Clinical Care Standards Excellence Awards
The ACSQHC has recently announced the health services from across the country that have received 10th Anniversary Clinical Care Standards Excellence Awards for their quality improvement efforts and impact on patient care.
Wrong-sided nerve blocks: still occurring
A recent webAIRS analysis, published in the Winter 2025 ANZCA Bulletin, reported on wrong-sided nerve blocks. Most occurred during elective orthopaedic surgery, often despite experienced clinicians and routine protocols. Common themes included miscommunication, distractions, inadequate time-out checks, and assumptions based on draping or prep. These incidents remain preventable.
ANZCA is updating the Stop Before You Block Poster after considering the recommendations of the UK Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group (SALG) in the context of Australian and New Zealand anaesthesia practice.
The new ANZCA version will incorporate the SALG concepts and the WHO Anaesthesia ‘Sign-in’ pre-anaesthesia check, followed by a stopping and specific re-check at the time of skin preparation.
This simple step can prevent avoidable harm.
Get Involved with webAIRS!
Trainees and fellows interested in analysing webAIRS data on blocks, medications, or safety themes are encouraged to join our analyser team.
For more information, get in touch
