Landspítali is constantly working to improve its services and quality. This is done through quality control and specific quality projects.
Quality Control and Quality Projects
Quality Control is part of the hospital's regular operations to assess service quality. It involves reviewing data, work processes, and various other factors.
Quality Projects are systematic examinations of the quality of Landspítali's operations, aiming to lead to improvements in the hospital's work.
No special permission is needed from the National Bioethics Committee or the Data Protection Authority for quality projects, as they are considered part of Landspítali's routine administration and legal obligations, unless they also constitute scientific research.
A quality project must meet the following conditions:
Information Gathering: Information is collected for improvement purposes, for exxample through interviews, surveys, focus groups, evaluations, and the use of performance indicators like quality metrics. Data can come directly from patients, relatives, and staff, or from databases and patient records. Recognized methodology is followed in data collection and processing.
Execution: The project is carried out by Landspítali staff or on behalf of the hospital with management approval or according to a project description. Such projects are a part of the necessary improvement work in Landspítali's services.
Objective: The project aims solely at internal improvements within Landspítali. The results of quality projects may also be used for benchmarking.
If data from a quality project is later used for scientific research to gain new knowledge, permission must be obtained for that research.
Scientific Research
Scientific research is research conducted to increase knowledge that, among other things, allows for improving health and curing diseases. Scientific research also follows a defined research process. In the healthcare field, all data collection that is not solely for the purpose of service or improvement, and-or involves intervention or procedures for patients and/or relatives, is considered scientific research.
All scientific research requires permission from the National Bioethics Committee or the Landspítali Ethics Committee, and where applicable, the research must be reported to the Data Protection Authority or their permission obtained.
If a research project involves contact with patients at Landspítali who are not under the direct care of the researchers, consultation with the patient's responsible physician is required before the research begins.
Researchers who plan to use Landspítali patient record information or contact patients after discharge from Landspítali for scientific research must obtain permission from the Chief Medical Officer before the research begins.
Research project requires permission if one or more of the following apply:
The scientific research involves data collection primarily conducted for the research's purpose of acquiring new knowledge. All data collection not solely for the purpose of service or improvement is considered scientific research.
The scientific research follows a defined research process.
The scientific research may involve intervention/procedures/participation/discomfort/nuisance for patients and/or relatives.
The knowledge gained from the scientific research is intended for publication at conferences or in peer-reviewed journals.
If there is doubt as to whether a project is a quality project or scientific research, the opinion of the relevant ethics committee must be sought.
These regulations are based on the guidelines of the National Bioethics Committee regarding quality projects and scientific research. The regulations are confirmed by the Landspítali Executive Board and shall be reviewed as needed.
