National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) is a GoI initiative to improve quality of care, patient safety, and satisfaction in public health facilities—including CHCs.
🎯 Objective of NQAS for CHC
- Ensure standardized, quality secondary care
- Improve clinical outcomes & patient experience
- Strengthen systems, records, and accountability
- Promote continuous quality improvement (CQI)
🏥 Scope of NQAS in a CHC
NQAS assessment in CHC covers all functional areas, mainly:
- OPD
- IPD (Male/Female wards)
- Labour Room & Newborn Care
- Operation Theatre
- Emergency / Casualty
- Laboratory
- Pharmacy
- Support services (Housekeeping, Laundry, BMW, Security)
- Administrative & Store areas
📘 NQAS Framework (8 Areas of Concern)
- Service Provision
- Patient Rights
- Inputs (HR, drugs, equipment)
- Support Services
- Clinical Care
- Infection Control
- Quality Management
- Outcome
👉 Each area has standards → measurable elements → checkpoints.
🧾 Assessment Method
NQAS scoring is based on:
- OB—Observation
- SI—Staff Interview
- RR – Records Review
✅ 70% score required for NQAS Certification
👥 Key Staff Roles in NQAS (CHC)
- Medical Superintendent/MO I/c – Leadership & monitoring
- Nursing Officer – Patient care, infection control
- Lab & Pharmacy Officers – Quality diagnostics & drug management
- CHO / QI Team – Documentation, internal assessment
- Support Staff – Cleanliness, BMW management, patient support
🌟 Benefits of NQAS for CHC
- Better patient trust & utilization
- Improved staff morale
- Recognition at State & National level
- Financial incentives (as per guidelines)
- Strong foundation for Kayakalp & LaQshya
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