The role of clinical audit in clinical governance

The process of clinical audit has been around for many decades. Although often poorly understood and appreciated, audit is a process that aims to improve the care of patients and their outcomes by systematically reviewing the care that they receive and comparing it to certain defined criteria that may result in the implementation of change. The process of audit is part of a larger framework called clinical governance, whereby NHS organizations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish. This paper discusses the role and process of clinical audit within the framework of clinical governance, explaining the types, structure and methods of conducting a thorough audit.