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Accreditation Canada is a non-profit, non-government organization that helps health care organizations across Canada examine and improve the quality of care and service they provide to patients, residents and clients. Accreditation is the designation provided by Accreditation Canada when an organization meets or exceeds the national standards of health care excellence established by Accreditation Canada.

Accreditation is based on a three-year cycle and is one of the most effective measures that health care organizations can take to accurately assess their performance at a national level.

The accreditation process is voluntary. Organizations that choose to participate in this pursuit of excellence must complete a detailed self-assessment, provide evidence of compliance with the national standards, make a commitment to integrated quality management and continuous improvement and participate in an intensive peer review process.

Surveyors from Accreditation Canada visit the organization to validate the organization’s compliance with the standards and their “roadmap” to quality.

Accreditation Canada provides a final report to the organization to provide further guidance in their quest for quality improvement.

Toronto Long-Term Care Homes and Services has successfully participated in the accreditation program since 1985, with each home being surveyed at varying times. In 2009, Toronto Long-Term Care Homes and Services participated in a division wide survey – all homes and community programs were surveyed collaboratively, as a single organization.

The survey team that made the on-site visit noted the division’s excellent integrated quality management program, unique and effective governance structure, commitment to safety, tremendous community connections, respect for diversity, effective communication and the focus on and encouragement for learning, innovation and research.

The surveyors also identified three leading practices within the division:

1. Homemakers and Nurses Services implementation of a life-safety system for community staff (iGUARD),
2. Carefree Lodge’s development of an algorithm for care and treatment of urinary tract infections; and
3. the division’s work in LGBT inclusive care (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) within a long-term care setting.

The final report was issued on December 23, 2009, and verified compliance with one hundred percent (100%) of the national standards. The decision of Accreditation for division is valid for the period of 2009 - 2012.

Quality Dimension	LTCHS Compliance Rate (%)		National Compliance Rate (%)
	Forecast Report	Final Report
Population Focus	100	100	90
Accessibility	100	100	97
Safety	98	100	90
Worklife	100	100	93
Client Centred Services	100	100	96
Continuity of Services	100	100	96
Effectiveness	100	100	91
Efficiency	100	100	94

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