65 Years of Quality Improvement in Health Care
Accreditation Canada (AC) has been empowering clients on their path to continuous quality improvement for over six decades. Since its establishment in 1958, AC has played a crucial role in promoting safe and high-quality care through capacity-building and conducting independent, third-party assessments of health and social services organizations against global standards of excellence. This year, AC is marking a significant milestone in global health as it celebrates 65 years of innovations in improving quality for safer and more connected care.
As AC celebrates its 65th Anniversary, it is a time of reflection and celebration, honouring the significant achievements and recognizing the individuals who have played a pivotal role in this transformative journey. These milestones serve as a reminder of the organization’s ongoing commitment to excellence in health care and its determination to create a safer and healthier world for all.
1958
The Canadian Council on Hospital Accreditation (Council), is established, beginning a transformative journey in health care quality improvement.
1959
The Winnipeg General Hospital becomes the first Canadian hospital to receive accreditation, setting the benchmark for excellence in healthcare standards.
1960
The Council’s influence expands beyond Canada’s borders as it accredits Bermuda Hospitals, solidifying its international reputation.
1970
Teaching hospitals in Quebec are mandated by the Quebec Ministry of Health to seek accreditation, demonstrating the growing recognition of the importance in delivering high-quality care.
1978
The Council takes significant strides by accrediting nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
1985
As a founding member of the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), the Council becomes a global leader in advancing health care quality.
1987
The Council changes its name to Canadian Council on Health Facilities Accreditation to accurately reflect the health care facilities other than hospitals it accredits.
1993
The Council evolves into the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA), broadening its scope to accurately reflect the diverse range of community health services, regional structures, and a broader set of programs it accredits.
1997
Acknowledging the demand for its expertise worldwide, CCHSA establishes an international team to share the Canadian accreditation model with countries across the globe. During this time the number of international clients steadily increased.
2003
With over 900 accredited organizations and a growing workforce, CCHSA establishes its first satellite office in Montreal to better serve clients in Quebec.
2008
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation rebrands as Accreditation Canada (AC), in recognition of the expansion of services and markets, ushering in a new era of innovation and progress.
2009
AC pilots the Qmentum™ program, empowering health care organizations to embrace quality improvement initiatives domestically and internationally in Costa Rica, Kuwait, Lebanon, Albania, Saint Lucia, Saudia Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
2012
AC expands the Qmentum™ program beyond English and French to include Portuguese and Italian, increasing the worldwide reach of excellence in health care systems.
2013
AC achieves a significant milestone in being chosen as the new home for the Health Council of Canada's Leading Practices content. This endorsement solidifies AC's position as a trusted authority in recognizing health system quality improvement initiatives.
2016
AC champions People-Centred Care, recognizing the pivotal role of patients and their families as active members of health care teams.
2017
The Health Standards Organization (HSO) is established to ensure a clear distinction between accreditation programs and standards development, elevating AC's expertise. The Canadian Medical Association selects AC to take over its EQual health education accreditation program.
2019
Partnering with the Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH), AC officially includes medical laboratory and diagnostics accreditation, and proficiency testing in its program, promoting accuracy and reliability in diagnostic services.
2020
AC launches OnboardQi, a new software to support the continuous assessment model used by organizations in their quality improvement journeys, incorporating new approaches, tools, and methodologies.
2021
AC's Patient Partnership Office (PPO) expands to include 17 patient surveyors with lived experiences, amplifying the voice of patients during the accreditation process.
2023
AC expanded its presence to over 15,000 locations across 38 countries, solidifying its position as a leading global organization. AC launched the Official Languages Recognition Program to make health care more inclusive and accessible and implemented People-Centred Care to encourage mutual respect and cooperation among all care providers. AC celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Medical Diagnostics program with over 300 sites accredited against the rigorous ISO 15189 Plus™ requirements, showcasing excellence and quality in medical diagnostics.
Join us in building the future of safer care towards a healthier world by discovering our five-year strategy.
