Qmentum International Accreditation Program
The Qmentum International accreditation program is based on the highly regarded Canadian health care quality model that has been developed through extensive research and experience.
Qmentum International is built on the philosophy of quality improvement, knowledge transfer, and capacity building. It engages a wide range of staff members, from leadership and professionals to managers and frontline personnel, having a profound impact throughout the organization. Organizations are provided with the tools and resources they need to implement and monitor quality improvement initiatives. Performance-oriented organizations will embrace the challenge of this streamlined, rigorous global accreditation program that recognizes achievements at various stages of the quality improvement journey.
To know how your health care organization can achieve better health outcomes through accreditation, ask for your “Accreditation Road Map” or simply contact us at international@accreditation.ca.
Key Components of Qmentum International
- Evidence-based standards of excellence
- Comprehensive self-assessment and on-site survey process
- Customized on-site survey plan
- In-depth performance measures
- Online portal
- Interactive tracers
- Quality performance roadmaps
- Ongoing support
Standards of Excellence
Qmentum International standards of excellence cover the continuum of care. Organizations in all health sectors use the core standards; service-specific standards applied for clinical services. There are also standards for Effective Organization, Infection Prevention and Control, and Medication Management that are specifically tailored to smaller organizations.
Core Standards
(applicable across health sectors)
- Sustainable Governance
- Effective Organization
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Medication Management
Service Specific (Clinical)
Public Health
- Public Health
- Animal Health and Food Safety
Primary Care
- Primary Care
- Blood Bank and Transfusion
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Biomedical Laboratory
- Laboratory and Blood
Independent Laboratory
- Blood Bank and Transfusion
- Biomedical Laboratory
- Laboratory and Blood
Acute Care
- Ambulatory Care
- Blood Bank and Transfusion
- Biomedical Laboratory
- Cancer Care
- Critical Care
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Emergency Department
- Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
- Global Health Care
- Laboratory and Blood
- Medicine
- Mental Health
- Obstetrics/Perinatal Care
- Operating Rooms
- Rehabilitation
- Reprocessing and Sterilization
- Surgical Care
- Primary Care
Ambulatory Care
- Ambulatory Care
- Blood Bank and Transfusion
- Biomedical Laboratory
- Cancer Care
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Laboratory and Blood
- Operating Rooms
- Rehabilitation
- Surgical Care
Community Care
- Home Care
- Mental Health
- Developmental Disabilities
- Semi-Residential and Residential
- Substance Abuse and Addiction
< Medication Management — Infection Prevention and Control >
Levels of Accreditation
Qmentum International has three levels of accreditation. The organization’s level is decided based on its performance at the time of the accreditation on-site survey:
- Gold addresses basic structures and processes linked to the foundational elements of safety and quality improvement
- Platinum builds on the elements of quality and safety, and emphasizes key elements of client-centred care, creating consistency in the delivery of services through standardized processes, and involving clients and staff in decision making
- Diamond focuses on the achievement of quality by monitoring outcomes, using evidence and best practice to improve services, and benchmarking with peer organizations to drive system-level improvements
Accreditation Process
Accreditation Canada International’s process begins with a Readiness Assessment. Surveyors conduct the assessment 1 - 2 months after the organization becomes a client. Following the assessment, clients receive a comprehensive report that includes a risk assessment, quality improvement plan, and an action plan to guide their accreditation process.
Between months 4 - 6, Accreditation Canada International provides training on accreditation, focusing on quality and patient safety.
The organization completes self-assessment questionnaires, sends a patient safety survey questionnaire to all staff, collects and uses performance indicator data and receives its quality performance roadmap. These activities typically take place between months 7 - 17.
Around month 12, some organizations take advantage of an optional deliverable – the Simulated Survey. In this mock survey, surveyors conduct sample tracers and other survey activities to prepare the organization for the accreditation survey.
The accreditation on-site survey takes place around month 18. Following the survey, the organization receives a comprehensive report and an accreditation award. In the interest of ongoing quality improvement, the organization is required to submit performance indicator data and follow up evidence during months 18 - 36.
International Accounts Manager
The International Accounts Manager is the organization’s prime point of contact throughout the accreditation process for information, advice and support. The Account Manager is available five-days a week through email, teleconference and online means.
The International Account Manager will:
- Create, coordinate and ensure execution of a critical path of key events leading up to accreditation
- Guide, mentor and coach the organization in its accreditation-related activities, such as standards interpretation and knowledge transfer regarding quality improvement plans
- Schedule and facilitate regular communications and teleconferences
- Ascertain the organization’s educational needs and coordinate, support and at times be part of delivering client education and capacity building programs
- Assist in the preparation of the organization’s accreditation reports
- Support the organization, post-survey, in report interpretation
- Assist the organization in developing and implementing quality improvement action plans
ISQua Accreditation
The Qmentum International accreditation program was accredited by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) in 2010.
