Assuring Program Quality

Clinical staff will perform peer quantitative case file reviews each quarter. It is the responsibility of each program coordinator to make sure that it is done and report the finding to the management team. This review will include ascertaining the presence/absence and timeliness of releases, treatment plans, psycho-social assessments, progress notes, discharge summaries, etc. The review will also include an assessment of the quality of the written work (e.g. the individuality and workability of the treatment plans, the value of the Interpretive Summary as a treatment guide, etc.). Finally, the Clinical Director will assess whether the appropriate treatment type and length was offered to the client.

In addition to the above, supervisors sign off all paperwork. This ensures the acceptable quality of work in open cases.

The information gathered will be used in a number of ways. The supervisor and the staff member will immediately deal with any important deficiencies. A copy of the audit form will be given to the staff member for their information. Each Program Coordinator will present findings at QA meetings, and the Clinical Director will present a report to the Board as part of the annual Management Report. The results will also be used in each Counselor's yearly evaluation.

Note: All quarterly review of records are completed by qualified staff that include licensed Program Coordinators and Primary Therapists. All new staff are trained either during their new hire period or upon quarterly review time by qualified staff on how to complete these reviews.