Primary health care is essential health care made accessible at a cost the country and community can afford with methods that are practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable. Within this program, family planning is recognized as a preventive health measure, which positively impacts the health and wellbeing of women, children and families; and as such, effective family planning programs are essential health care delivery interventions. As one of the goals of primary health care is the enhancement of reproductive health services, HCAC has integrated family planning (FP) and reproductive health (RH) services into the standards for primary health care facilities.
Aim
To specify the optimal requirements for programs to ensure quality of services that are related to health promotion and disease prevention, family planning and reproductive health, client care and outcomes of care, client satisfaction, and client safety.
Scope and Framework
The standards provide facilities with a framework for addressing service delivery and coordination, planning, policy, management in addition to the relationship with other service providers and the wider community. The standards introduce the most important elements of client Primary Health Care and Family Planning Centers Accreditation Standards, 2nd Edition | 3 safety to a facility and create the capacity for the primary care center to continually improve its quality of services to benefit clients.
Eligible Institutions
The standards are comprehensive and applicable to all primary health care facilities that offer comprehensive programs; however, the HCAC recognizes that methods of achieving standards may vary according to the size, type, and resources of each facility.
The Standards Manual
The primary care standards are organized around the most important functions common to all centers. The standards are grouped according to the following functions or clusters:
- Cluster 1: Community Integration
- Cluster 2: Organization and Management
- Cluster 3: Management of Information
- Cluster 4: Continuum of Care
- Cluster 5: Client and Family Education
- Cluster 6: Quality Improvement and Client Safety
- Cluster 7: Client Care Support
- Cluster 8: Human Resources
Organization and Management
Management of Information
Client and Family Education
Quality Improvement and Client Safety