Prince Edward Island's five Regional Health Authorities will participate in a voluntary national accreditation process in June 1998 to evaluate their performance against national standards.
The accreditation surveys will be conducted by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA), a national, non-profit organization committed to promoting excellence in the provision of health care and service and the efficient use of resources.
Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover advised that while Island hospitals and long term care facilities have been accredited in the past, this will be the first time P.E.I. has participated in a regional accreditation process.
"The process will provide us with the opportunity to assess and monitor a broad range of services such as child and family services, home care, mental health and addictions, in addition to acute and long term care. The accreditation process is a very comprehensive self-assessment process and an important accountability tool that will tell us how the quality of our services compares to national standards," said the minister.
The five P.E.I. health and community services regions will be participating in onsite survey visits in June, 1998. A survey team of ten members will be in the province for a two-week period. The team will be chaired by Dr. Terry Henning of
Saskatchewan. It will also include nine other senior health care professionals credentialed by CCHSA.
Ken Ezeard, CEO of West Prince Health and past chair of the CCHSA said the accreditation standards and scope have changed in several ways over the years.
"The range of health services participating in the accreditation program has increased particularly in those provinces which have now been regionalized. Additionally, the focus of the accreditation program has moved from meeting minimal structural-type standards toward a client-centred approach which places greater emphasis on process and quality improvement using national standards," he said.
Mr. Ezeard said the accreditation program is voluntary, independent of government agencies, and is organized by health care and service professionals.
"While the process requires a great commitment on the part of all regional staff, generally people value the process, acknowledge the need to enhance accountability and appreciate the opportunity to learn about and participate in the assessment of related services," he said.
Regional representatives expect to receive the results of the five accreditation surveys by September 1998.