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Health Services Accreditation

This content was archived on June 24, 2013.

The September 2000 First Ministers' Accord provided a vision, set of principles and action plan for health system renewal, including a commitment to improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of the Canadian health care system. The 2004 First Ministers' Accord on Health Care Renewal further defined these principles by committing that health care services available to Canadians be of high quality, effective, patient-centred and safe.

Accreditation

Health services accreditation is the nationally and internationally recognized process to ensure a standardized level of quality in health planning, management and delivery of health services. Accreditation enables organizations to strive for excellence through participation in a continuous process that leads them from a self-assessment to an action plan for improving all aspects of health care leadership, management and service delivery. Organizations are able to measure their service and operational performance against set standards, which provides them with a clear picture of their strengths and areas to be improved. Accordingly, accreditation is:

• An ongoing process health organizations use to assess and improve the quality of their services in all aspects of health care;
• A voluntary process that examines everyday activities and services against standards of excellence;
• A team approach that supports the health and wellness of clients, patients and staff while increasing shared responsibility and care in an organization;
• A way to provide valuable ideas and actions that can be used within an organization and among partnering organizations; and
• A process that strengthens an organization's structure, stability, systems security, support and sustainability.

Benefits of accreditation

• Enhancing patient safety by effectively managing and mitigating clinical and safety-related risks.
• Ensuring an acceptable level of quality among health care providers, stimulating sustainable quality improvement (QI) and continuously raising the bar with regards to QI initiatives.
• Enhancing organizations' understanding of the continuum of care by focusing on performance improvement and outcomes of care.
• Increasing reputation among end-users and enhancing their awareness and perception of quality care.
• Promoting capacity-building and organizational learning.
• Providing a framework that assists in the creation and implementation of systems and processes which improve operational effectiveness and enhance positive health outcomes.

Additional benefits to First Nation and Inuit communities

• Offers recognition and pride that First Nation and Inuit health services are achieving standards of excellence used by health services nationwide.
• Enhances a culture of empowerment through sharing of organizational information developing employee knowledge and competencies, and promoting shared accountability/decision making at all levels within health organizations.
• Demonstrates to clients and the community that the organization is committed to quality improvement.
• Enables First Nation and Inuit health organizations to create their own, personalized action plan for quality improvements that address specific goals and recommendations.
• Encourages First Nation and Inuit health organizations to develop and apply policies and processes that contribute to a safe, fair and effective work environment.
• Builds supportive partnerships and shared learning opportunities among participating First Nation and Inuit communities.

Who is involved in the Accreditation process?

• First Nation and Inuit Health (FNIH) Organizations
• Accreditation body and specialists
• Accreditation Surveyors
• FNIH Regional Accreditation Managers
• FNIH Branch National Office

What is unique to First Nation and Inuit organizations who participate in the accreditation process?

• Funding support;
• Networking, knowledge exchange and mentoring opportunities with other First Nations and Inuit communities;
• Peer review of participating organizations by surveyors who largely work in other Aboriginal health services centres; and
• Direct support from a Regional Accreditation Manager.

How does a Regional Accreditation Manager support First Nation and Inuit communities?

• Provides support throughout the accreditation process;
• Provides information and allocates funds to initiate and sustain the accreditation process;
• Acts as a liaison between the health organization and the accreditation body, if desired; and
• Facilitates partnerships and helps build networks between communities involved in accreditation.

How do we get started?

• For further information on the Accreditation process and how to begin the process contact us at: Accreditation.Agrement@hc-sc.gc.ca.