Target Audience & Estimated Reading Time: Member organizations | 3 minutes
Why it Matters
Accreditation in healthcare is the cornerstone of quality assurance, ensuring that organizations consistently meet rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness, and patient-centred care. It fosters public trust, enhances clinical outcomes, and drives continuous improvement across the health system.
This mid-year reflection not only highlights the Accreditation Collaborative’s accomplishments but also underscores its strategic vision and unwavering commitment to excellence. As the journey progresses, the Collaborative exemplifies how shared leadership and coordinated action can elevate care quality across diverse sectors.
Dig Deeper
Mid-Year Reflections
As we pass the midpoint of the 2025-26 accreditation cycle, the Accreditation Collaborative continues to demonstrate remarkable progress, innovation, and dedication to integrated care across the region. Key achievements from the first half of the year include:
- Expanding Membership and Engagement – The Collaborative includes 10 member organizations, with an 11th scheduled to join by the end of the calendar year. This growth reflects increasing recognition of the value of shared accreditation efforts. Two collaborative meetings have been held to date, marked by strong participation and a shared commitment to quality improvement.
- Exceeding Accreditation Benchmarks on Surveys – A major milestone was achieved with the completion of both the Global Workforce Survey (GWS) and the Governing Body Survey (GBS). The Collaborative exceeded response rates, achieving 34% for staff and 88% for board members. These results demonstrate high engagement but provide valuable insights into governance strengths and areas for improvement.
- Garnering External Recognition – The Collaborative’s efforts have been externally recognized, including a nomination for the 2025 AFTHO Bright Lights Award and an upcoming feature in Healthcare Quarterly. These accolades reaffirm the Collaborative’s role in driving system-wide excellence and innovation.
Current Focus
The current focus for the Collaborative is around Self-Assessments and Strategic Planning. Member organizations are actively completing self-assessments for core and service standards using OnboardQI. These assessments will inform the development of Quality Improvement Action Plans (QIAPs), tailored to both collaborative and organization-specific needs.
Looking Ahead
In November, the Collaborative will reconvene to review aggregate survey and self-assessment results. This session will serve as a springboard for defining quality improvement priorities and launching subcommittees focused on key areas for improvement.
In addition, moving forward, to maximize efficiency and avoid duplication, the Collaborative will strategically:
- Use existing committees and tables before forming new subcommittees.
- Engage other accredited organizations outside the Collaborative for support and shared learning.
- Draw on resources from other Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) and the Accreditation Canada leading practices.
- Build on proven strategies by leveraging established contacts and networks.
Next Steps
Organizations are encouraged to consider the benefits of accreditation and explore opportunities to engage with the Collaborative. Participation not only strengthens internal quality systems but also contributes to border movement toward integrated, high-quality care across the region.
Contact HPA-OHT at oht@hpaoht.ca to learn more.