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Audit
I often get asked about the audit element of DSQS so I
thought it would be useful to cover this off in this article

so you can be prepared for your 2025 submission.

DSQS clinical dispensing audits should:
• Be focused on dispensing services, rather than prescribing by the GPs –
the rule of thumb is that if the audit could have been done equally well
by a non-dispensing practice, then it is probably not really about the

dispensary.
• Be a tool for quality assurance and/or quality improvement. Quality
assurance through audit involves undertaking one audit cycle to confirm
that relevant standards are being met. Quality improvement through audit
involves implementing any actions identified because of the audit, and
then undertaking a second audit cycle to assess whether there has been

an improvement
• Be designed to assess the safety, accuracy or efficiency of dispensing
(or associated processes), or the quality of information given to patients
about their medication. Quality improvement audits should address an
area where a potential problem has been identified, or where there is felt

to be scope for improvement
• Have a clearly stated aim and detailed specific objectives
• Describe the methodology to be used to carry out the audit (i.E. How is the
audit sample to be identified, how data will be recorded, etc.)

• Be undertaken over a sufficient period to be representative and

meaningful
• Summarise the results and draw conclusions from those results
• Identify learning points and any actions to be taken to improve the results
• Describe how the findings will be shared with the wider practice team

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