title: Evaluating the impact of healthcare scrutiny in NHS Scotland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) was established in April 2009 to undertake at least one announced and one unannounced inspection in all acute hospitals across NHSScotland every three years. A national survey was undertaken to evaluate whether the inspection programme from September 2012 to September 2013 led to demonstrable improvements and to guide the delivery of the programme in future.
  
  
  METHODS
  A web-based survey and paper copies of the survey were sent to each of the 14 National Health Service boards and one special National Health Service board to capture the views of staff. Recipients of the email were requested to distribute the questionnaire to as many staff as possible involved in the inspection process.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We received a total of 183 responses; 171 from the electronic survey and 12 from the paper survey. Responses were received from each National Health Service board and a wide range of staff groups contributed to the survey. Respondents highlighted positive aspects as well as possible areas for improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall experience of an HEI inspection was positive, with the majority of respondents stating that inspections drive improvement for patients, and staff, and providing a varied range of examples of improvements which have been made in response to inspections. Responses, and the issues highlighted, will help inform future inspections.
authors.affiliation: Chief Inspector, Healthcare Environment Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brimelow
authors.affiliation: Health Services Researcher, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Downie
authors.affiliation: Project Officer, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, UK jill.sands@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sands
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D012606:Scotland; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards
keywords: Evaluation; healthcare; improvement; infection; inspection