Prairie North Health Region is about to undergo its fourth Regional Accreditation survey, scheduled for May 27 - 31, according to a press release.
The release indicates a group of eight surveyors from Accreditation Canada will be visiting PNHR to conduct an external peer review process, the focus of which is improving quality and safety of health care.
"The accreditation process helps the region better understand our status in terms of continuous safety improvements and quality health care," says David Fan, PNHR CEO. "This includes being assessed on and understanding what is being done well, what needs to be improved, and what next steps need to be taken to make those improvements."
The release explains surveyors are experienced health care professionals from health services across Canada. They are peer reviewers who assess the performance of health organizations against national standards of excellence and provide recommendations for improvement.
Since the region's last accreditation survey in June 2010, PNHR board members, leaders, staff throughout the organization, and physicians have maintained their focus on continually improving patient and staff safety, and quality of care, the release states.
"With the results of our 2010 survey to guide us, plus ongoing review of our progress through self-assessments and improvement roadmaps, we have been busy preparing for the upcoming Survey event," Fan explains.
A total of 23 teams have been focused on specific Standards and Required Organizational Practices from clinical care and support services, to leadership and governance.
"These teams are dedicated in engaging frontline staff in the accreditation process and incorporating safety and quality improvement into the organization's daily culture," adds Fan.
The surveyors will trace and assess episodes of care in numerous areas of care and service through client/family interviews, observation, document reviews and discussions with staff. Surveyors will also discuss the quality improvement initiatives with staff, tour the facilities and discuss various aspects of patient care such as medication management, surgical procedures, infection control, and long term care.
"Continuous Safety and Quality Improvement is an ongoing process," says Fan. "Our PNHR staff is focused on providing the best possible quality care and services, and is working hard to improve patient and staff safety."
