The audits most frequently used in quality control include outcome process and structure audits.

Outcome Audit

Outcomes are the end results of care; the changes in the patient’s health status and can be attributed to the delivery of health care services. Outcome audits determine what results if any occurred as result of specific nursing intervention for the clients.

Examples of outcomes traditionally used to measure quality of hospital care include mortality, its morbidity, and length to hospital stay.

Process Audit

Process audits are used to measure the process of care or how the care was carried out. Process audit it task oriented and focuses on whether or not practice standards are being fulfilled. These audits assume that a relationship exists between the quality of the nurse and quality of care provided.

Structure Audit

Monitors the structure or setting in which patient care occurs, such as the finances, nursing service, medical records and environment,. This audit assumes that a relationship exists between quality care and appropriate structure. These above audits can occur retrospectively, concurrently and prospectively

PREREQUISITES OF NURSING AUDIT

• Audit Committee: Before carrying out an audit, an audit committee should be formed which consists of fair and impartial members including senior nurses as members to do nursing audit. This committee should comprise of minimum five members who are interested in quality assurance, are clinically competent and able to work together in a group.
• It is recommended that each member should review not more than 10 patients each month and that the auditor should have the ability to carry out an audit