Covenant Health earns high marks—and praise—from Accreditation Canada

In the final report from Accreditation Canada dated December 8, 2011, Covenant Health was awarded Accreditation with Condition—and an overall score of 96 per cent.

In the report, the surveyors said Covenant Health, “showed significant commitment to accreditation and quality improvement processes across the organization.”

The onsite survey took place from October 30 to November 3. This year, the Accreditation Team visited the Grey Nuns and Misericordia Community Hospitals in Edmonton, Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, Bonnyville Health Centre, Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital in Castor and St. Mary’s Hospital in Camrose. The surveyors reviewed five program areas: Emergency Department Services; Surgical Care Services; Critical Care Services; Operating Rooms; and Obstetrics/Perinatal Care Services.

The survey team highlighted many areas of strength, particularly team members’ openness to respond, willingness to learn and commitment to follow through. The surveyors also noticed an increased level of engagement and preparedness.

The surveyors noted, “An ongoing commitment of staff across the organization to the vision and mission,” as well as the fact that staff are patient focused in their approach.

Accreditation Canada defines quality in health care using eight dimensions that represent key service elements. The dimensions are population focus, accessibility, safety, worklife, client-centred services, continuity of services, effectiveness and efficiency.

Additionally, Accreditation uses standards of excellence to examine policies and practices that contribute to high quality, safe and effectively managed care.

Like last year, the Accreditation Canada decision to provide certification “with condition” means Covenant Health has successfully achieved Accreditation Certification on the condition that that organization submit evidence of actions taken to address a small number of unmet practices within the next four months. These areas include the transfer of information at patient transition points, and providing verbal and written communication to patients and their families about their role in promoting safety during their stay.

Overall, the surveyors commended Covenant Health for, “effective utilization of benchmarks and networking, with effective utilization of best practice guidelines and evidence based tools.”

Through Accreditation, Covenant Health is able to account for its performance to provincial and national standards and clearly demonstrate its contribution to Alberta’s healthcare system.

View the executive summary.