Clinical audit is the systematic and critical analysis of the quality of clinical care including diagnostic and treatment procedures, associated use of resources and outcomes and quality of life for the patient' (Department of Health, UK, 1989 * )

Clinical audit is a cyclical process, involving the identification of a topic, setting standards, comparing practice with the standards, implementing changes and monitoring the effect of those changes. Its purpose is to improve the quality of clinical care.

The first stage in the audit cycle has been prepared for you - the setting of core standards of physiotherapy practice. This audit tools document will allow you to complete the second stage - comparing practice with the core standards. It will then be possible to identify any underlying reasons for not achieving the standards, and to implement any changes required.

The different tools are designed to measure performance in different ways, depending on the source of information that will indicate whether the standards and criteria have been met. Together, the five audit tools will allow you to carry out a comprehensive audit of the core practice standards. Of course it is not needed to use all the audit tools at the same time, the audit can be done in stages.

The four audit tools are:

1. Core standards patient record audit
2. Core standards continuing professional development / life long learning (CPD/LLL) audit
3. Core standards peer review
4. Patient feedback audit Physiotherapy

All documents are available as download documents at the end of this document for free.

The documents about Audit Tool and Physiotherapy Service Standard you find in our DOWNLOAD-Section and here.

Download documents as PDF-File:

Audit Tool for use with European Core Standards of Physiotherapy Practice for free

European Benchmark Statement

Physiotherapy Service Standards