MAHC Achieves Exemplary Accreditation Standing

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) has been awarded the highest possible rating from Accreditation Canada – Accredited with Exemplary Standing under the Qmentum accreditation program.

The decision follows MAHC’s onsite survey across both sites by an external survey team in December 2018 as part of an ongoing accreditation process to ensure high quality care and safety in every facet of hospital operations.

Following the four-day survey with five Accreditation Canada surveyors, it was determined that MAHC met 100% of all Required Organization Practices and 98.4% of the high priority and other criteria. In total, more than 2,400 standards were assessed, examining all aspects of health care and organizational practices from patient safety and ethics, to staff training and partnering with the community, governance and communication.

Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary for hospitals and is about constantly improving the quality of care provided to patients by ensuring the organization is meeting national standards of care, says Natalie Bubela, Chief Executive Officer.

“Accredited with Exemplary Standing means our organization has attained the highest level of performance excellence in meeting the requirements of the accreditation program,” says Bubela, adding MAHC previously held the decision of Accredited. “This award is the direct result of every team member’s commitment to high-quality care and patient safety and a designation that everyone at MAHC can be proud to be a part of. It is a true testament to our commitment to providing safe, high-quality health services.”

The Board of Directors is equally thrilled with the accreditation decision of exemplary standing.

“Quality and safety are at the core of MAHC’s operations,” says Board Chair Phil Matthews. “Our communities should also feel pride and confidence in the hospitals that serve them each and every day and that in spite of our financial challenges and constraints we have maintained an unrelenting focus on quality and safety, which was apparent to the surveyors.”

The focus of accreditation is on the processes used to deliver care, not on individual health care providers. The whole organization is involved in the accreditation survey, from front-line staff and volunteers to board members, patients, and families.

In the decision report, the survey team highlighted the great collaboration between MAHC’s two sites, the congenial and supportive teamwork of staff and physicians, as well as the strong governance and leadership of the organization.

“It’s a significant milestone in our ongoing quality improvement and safety journey, and is momentum the organization will continue to build upon as we recognize that the standards we are measured against today are constantly changing and our efforts to maintain this exemplary standing must continue,” says Bubela. “Health care accreditation helps identify what an organization is doing well and where to focus its improvement efforts.”

Building on this award, MAHC will continue efforts to improve the quality and safety of services and processes. MAHC’s next accreditation will take place in 2022.