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Procedures in pain medicine: Clinician resources

This page contains information and resources related to the Procedures in Pain Medicine Clinical Care Standard.

Guidelines and standards

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has published the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, which provide a nationally consistent statement of the level of care consumers can expect from health service organisations.

View the NSQHS Standards here.

Another set of standards from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Careare the Clinical Care Standards, which consist of a "small number of quality statements that describe the care patients should be offered by health professionals and health services for a specific clinical condition or defined clinical pathway in line with current best evidence ".

WebsiteView the Clinical Care Standards here.


The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has developed the Standards for general practices (5th edition) (the Standards) with the purpose of protecting patients from harm by improving the quality and safety of health services.

The Standards support general practices in identifying and addressing any gaps in their systems and processes.

WebsiteRead more about the Standards on the RACGP website.


The New Zealand Ministry of Health, Manatū Hauora, have developed Standards New Zealand, which aim to provide safe and reasonable levels of service for consumers.

WebsiteExplore the Standards New Zealand website for more information and resources

ArticlesView the NZS 8134.0.2008 Health and disability services (general) standard


The Australian Open Disclosure Framework provides a nationally consistent basis for open disclosure in Australian health care.

JournalsView the pdf version of the framework here.

Radiation standards

The The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR)and the Society and College of Radiographers have produced this document which sets standards in key areas that are seen as essential for the delivery of high-quality and effective ultrasound imaging services and examinations. The aim is to clarify the components of a clinically safe and efficient ultrasound service. It is relevant to all services that carry out ultrasound and to those individuals responsible for the commissioning of such services.

ArticlesView the document here (it was last reviewed in 2017).


Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). Code of Practice for Radiation Protection in the Medical Applications of Ionizing Radiation. Radiation Health committee. May 2008.

ArticlesView the code of practice here.


Radiation certification by jurisdictions

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) is committed to setting, promoting and continuously improving standards of practice for clinical radiology, encompassing diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology, for the betterment of the people of Australia and New Zealand.

Read the Standards of Practice for Clinical Radiology Version 11 here.


FPM fellows and trainees who operate radiographic imaging equipment are expected to be aware of relevant standards and to hold the required radiation safety license for the jurisdiction(s) in which they practise (listed alphabetically).

Related FPM/ANZCA Professional Documents

FPM fellows and trainees are expected to be familiar with and guided by FPM and ANZCA professional documents. The following are relevant to the planning, conduct or documentation of procedures, and procedural sedation or anaesthesia:

Preparing patients for a procedure

Equipment and facilities

Follow up of a procedure

Therapeutic Guidelines


ANZCA acknowledges the traditional custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present, and emerging.

ANZCA acknowledges and respects Māori as the Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa and is committed to upholding the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, fostering the college’s relationship with Māori, supporting Māori fellows and trainees, and striving to improve the health of Māori.