Quality Assurance Standards

The Institute of Medical Illustrators’ Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) provides a systematic framework to measure the implementation and effectiveness of quality initiatives in Medical Illustration units across the UK. It is intended that they will complement, but not duplicate, existing quality assurance programs and provide an opportunity to share and disseminate good practice.

The Quality Assurance Standards were originally developed by members of the Institute, having investigated a number of national schemes from both industry and the healthcare sector.

 

Benefits

The QAS scheme was designed by the profession, for the profession, and was robustly reviewed with the assistance of a nationally qualified audit training expert.

Healthcare is increasingly evidence-based, centring decisions on the benefits of improving the patient care pathway. A well-structured medical illustration service contributes to the care pathway at various stages with the provision of standardised photography or the production of high-quality patient information. These outcomes are supported by well-tested documented working practices which are ultimately recognised through the QAS scheme.

  • Standards are appropriate to the service. 
  • Our auditors are all qualified medical illustrators. 
  • QAS Level 1 provides a baseline for departments who undertake training and therefore ensures that students are provided with all that is required to meet their training needs.  
  • Organisations placing work experience students require a guarantee that work placements are fit for purpose. QAS Level 1 provides that guarantee.  
  • QAS Level 2 is designed to examine overall organisational excellence, testing not only that systems are in place, but also that knowledge and understanding of policies, procedures and protocols are apparent. 
  • QAS Certification can contribute to other audit-able healthcare quality standards set by the NHS across the UK. 

How much does it cost my department to be audited by the QAS team?

Cost for QAS level 1:  

IMI Members – £250

Non-Members -£500  

Cost for QAS level 2:  

IMI Members – £550

Non-Members -£700  

QAS Re-Audit level 1:  

IMI Members – £200

Non-Members -£450  

QAS Re-Audit level 2:  

IMI Members – £450

Non-Members -£600  

Auditors 

QAS Team: Laura Jackman (Lead), Shay Gunstone (QAS Administrator), Tim Zoltie, Nigel Beardsmore, Jane Tovey, David Bishop, Gemma Meredith, Brenda Asante, Caroline Smith, Eloise Lee, Emma Burns, Geraldine Thompson, Helen Aikman, Maria Kazmaly, Paula Beazley, Rachael Wicker, Stacey Hussell, Craig Harper.

Please email any general enquiries to QAS@imi.org.uk.

The Process 

The submission of evidence is now primarily electronic, with the majority of the criteria requiring evidence submission two weeks prior to the audit date.  The audit team then allocate two independent online auditors and one auditor to undertake the site visit.

All scores and comments are then amalgamated into the final report. Successful organisations will receive a full audit report and a letter of congratulations which is usually sent to the Chief Executive of the organisation or a designated line manager for the department.

Any criteria not met will be highlighted and if the additional evidence is submitted within a six week period, the audit will be deemed as successful. Failure to submit will mean the department will need re-auditing at a later date, which may incur additional costs.

Advice and example evidence is available on request from any of the audit team.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) may have a bearing on what and how we share confidential information and could reduce the amount of information being allowed to be submitted online. Please speak with any of the QAS Audit Team for advice on secure encryption of any electronic transfers.  

QAS criteria documents and submission guidelines

Below are the current documents for QAS criteria and submission guidelines.

Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) Handbook

QAS Audit Submission Guidelines & Virtual Visit_September 2024

QAS Criteria Level 1 FOR APPLICANTS_September 2024

QAS Criteria Level 2 FOR APPLICANTS_September 2024

QAS Application Form

Successful QAS Departments 

The following departments have previously achieved QAS Level 1: 

  • Medical Illustration & Photography, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Medical Photography and Illustration, Queen’s Hospital, Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Photography and Design, Gloucester Royal Hospital, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Medical Photography, Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Media Resources Centre, University of Wales College of Medicine and Cardiff Vale NHS Trust
  • Medical Illustration, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust
  • Clinical Photography, Royal Infirmary, University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust
  • Medical Photography, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Clinical Media Centre, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton
  • Clinical Photography and Illustration, East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
  • Medical Photography & AV Services, Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock
  • Medical illustration, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
  • Clinical Photography, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
  • Medical Illustration, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
  • Medical Photography & Illustration Department, East Kent University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Medical Illustration, Raigmore Hospital, NHS Highland.
  • Medical Illustration, Warrington and Halton Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust.
  • Photography and Graphics, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Medical Photography and Illustration, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
  • Clinical Photography and Illustration, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
  • Leeds Dental Institute
  • Medical Photography & Illustration Department, North Bristol NHS Trust
  • Clinical Photography, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

 

The following departments currently hold QAS Level 1 accreditation status:

  • Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

 

The following departments have previously achieved QAS Level 2: 

  • Medical Illustration, St. Luke’s Hospital, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Clinical Photography and Design Services, Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Medical Illustration, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
  • Clinical Photography, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
  • Clinical Illustration, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust
  • Medical Photography & Illustration Department, North Bristol NHS Trust
  • Clinical Photography, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

 

The following departments currently hold QAS Level 2 accreditation status:

  • University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
  • Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
  • University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
  • North Bristol NHS Trust

 

The following departments currently hold QAS Teledermatology accreditation status:

  • University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust