ACHS Shares Insights on the Future of Accreditation at ISQua 2026

Key highlights of our involvement at the ISQua International Conference 2026.

ACHS International joined healthcare quality and safety leaders from around the world at the 42nd International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) International Conference in Dublin, Ireland, from 27 to 30 September 2026. The conference provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, explore emerging challenges and consider how accreditation can continue to support safer, higher-quality healthcare in a rapidly changing world. 

Shaping the future of accreditation 

Dr Karen Luxford, ACHS and ACHSI Group CEO, presented at the pre-conference workshop, The Future of Health and Social Care Accreditation. The session examined how accreditation programs can remain relevant, valuable and sustainable amid demographic shifts, environmental challenges, rapid technological advancement and evolving patient and community expectations. 

The workshop followed a strategic review commissioned by the ISQua External Evaluation Association (ISQua EEA) in 2025 to guide the future of its International Accreditation Programme. Bringing together stakeholders from across the sector, the session provided an opportunity to contribute to a forward-looking roadmap for accreditation through 2030 and beyond. 

Discussions reinforced the importance of adapting accreditation to meet changing healthcare needs while maintaining its core purpose of supporting quality improvement, patient safety and better outcomes. 

ACHS Improvement Academy Collective Faculty Member, Dr Peter Hibbert, also presented a session exploring AI-based, system-focused and consumer-centred approaches to investigating serious adverse events, including opportunities to improve investigations and better meet the needs of patients and families. 

Photos (left to right): Dr Karen Luxford and Mr Peter Hibbert, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University; Dr Karen Luxford presenting at a speaker session; and ACHS ISQua poster presentation. 

Exploring the opportunities and challenges of AI 

ACHS also contributed to the conference through its poster presentation, Applying AI in Accrediting Agencies: Lessons from a Real-World Case, by Aisling Forrest, ACHS Executive Director, Corporate Services, and Nikki Humphreys, Manager, ACHS Business Data Intelligence. 

The presentation shared practical insights from ACHS’s implementation of AI-driven reporting tools to support healthcare service assessment. It explored how technology can improve efficiency, productivity and consistency in reporting, while supporting more outcome-focused and data-driven accreditation. 

It highlighted the importance of involving end users throughout implementation. Collaboration with stakeholders, including assessors and clients, was identified as critical to developing solutions that meet practical needs and align with organisational values. 

As well as addressing the potential risks of AI adoption, including ethical and social considerations, human rights, stakeholder resistance and over-reliance on technology at the expense of human judgement. Its recommendations emphasised establishing clear ethical frameworks, co-producing solutions with end users, and continually testing and refining systems. 

These insights contribute to wider conversations about how accreditation agencies can responsibly embrace innovation while preserving the integrity and human-centred principles underpinning healthcare quality and safety. 

International recognition for ACHS 

During the conference, ACHS was recognised for attaining ISQua EEA Organisational Accreditation for a further four years. The outstanding outcome announced early 2026, highlighted ACHS’s strengths in leadership and governance, including strategic planning, and staff wellbeing, reflecting its ongoing commitment to quality and continuous improvement. 

We thank all the organisers, speakers and participants for making ISQua’s 42nd International Conference a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and strengthen our collective commitment to quality improvement and patient safety. 

Discover upcoming conferences where you can connect with ACHSI here.