SickKids awarded Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada

SickKids has been awarded Accreditation with Exemplary Standing, the highest standing possible from Accreditation Canada!

Every four years, SickKids undergoes an accreditation process by Accreditation Canada, an independent, not-for-profit organization that works with health-care organizations to help them evaluate and improve quality, safety and efficiency so they can offer the best possible care and service. Accreditation also provides recognition that an organization's services are meeting national standards of quality.

Accreditation Canada surveyors visited SickKids from Oct. 2 to 6, 2017, to observe practices and obtain feedback from staff, patients and families.

During their visit, the surveyors recognized SickKids’ highly collaborative culture that engaged staff, patients, families and community partners. Overall strengths identified by the surveyors included a strong, deeply penetrating safety culture as a result of our Caring Safely program; committed and passionate staff; a strong focus on family-centred care; many examples of excellent clinical practice and service delivery; ambitious and well-targeted strategic initiatives including Kids Health Alliance (KHA); and a high degree of staff innovation and creativity. In addition, they recognized a strong learning culture in which we strive to learn from each other and from community partners.  

“This well-deserved recognition is a terrific testament to the devotion and commitment of all staff across the organization. On behalf of the executive team and the Board, I want to thank everyone for your ongoing dedication to the highest standards of safety, quality and service at SickKids,” says Dr. Michael Apkon, President and CEO.

In their report, the surveyors evaluated SickKids on 2,686 different criteria, observing everything from governance and leadership to infection control and clinical care. SickKids fully met 99.9 per cent of these criteria and was also recognized for 6 new leading practices. Accreditation Canada defines a leading practice as a noteworthy practice carried out by a health service organization that demonstrates innovation and creativity, and has a positive impact on services or outcomes for clients and families.

SickKids is dedicated to improving health outcomes for children and their families in a compassionate, innovative, responsible and efficient manner.