Ontario Shores in Select Company after Earning 'Accredited with Exemplary Standing' Status from Accreditation Canada

WHITBY, ON, June 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) has successfully achieved 'Accredited with Exemplary Standing' status from Accreditation Canada, the highest designation attainable.

Accreditation Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization that sets standards for quality and safety in healthcare, accrediting health organizations in Canada and around the world.

Accreditation of Exemplary Standing is awarded to an organization that attains the highest level of performance, achieving excellence in meeting the requirements of the accreditation program. In 2011, 968 Canadian organizations participated in the Accreditation process and just 30 per cent of the participating organizations were granted exemplary status.

"We are honoured to be joining a select group of hospitals and thankful to Accreditation Canada for affirming our belief that Ontario Shores has achieved excellence and advanced patient care in an inclusive environment," notes Ontario Shores President and CEO Karim Mamdani. "To be 'Accredited with Exemplary Standing' status is a point of pride for patients, staff, volunteers and community partners at Ontario Shores."

A team of Accreditation Canada surveyors, which consisted of healthcare professionals, visited Ontario Shores in May, 2013. After a week of intense team interviews, tours, documentation reviews, and conversations with patients, families, and community partners, the surveyors provided a final report evaluating Ontario Shores' ability to meet Accreditation Canada's 852 standards. Ontario Shores met 98.5 per cent of the criteria.

"The clinical programs are commended for their patient-centred approach and for their dynamic team functioning," states the report from Accreditation Canada. "There is a mutual respect between staff and patients and patients report high levels of satisfaction."

The final report also highlighted Ontario Shores' success in implementing an efficient and flexible electronic health record application, processes to ensure medication reconciliation and a sector-wide respected Restraint and Seclusion Prevention Strategy.

Accreditation Canada's Qmentum is an accreditation program that was introduced in 2008 to incorporate the latest research and evidence and feedback from clients, surveyors, board members and staff in defining priorities that include performance, risk prevention planning, client safety, performance measurement, and governance.

About Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences:
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is a leader in mental health care, providing a spectrum of specialized assessments and treatment services for people living with complex mental illness. Patients benefit from a recovery-oriented environment of care, build on compassion, inspiration and hope. Ontario Shores engages in research, education and advocacy initiatives to advance the mental health care system.

SOURCE: Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences

Darryl Mathers
Communications Officer
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
905-430-4055 ext. 6583
Cell: 905-435-8623
[email protected]