AMGH is committed to patient safety and the delivery of safe, quality care. By taking part in a process called accreditation, we can ensure this happens. The new process is know as Qmentum, partnering the words Quality and momentum to reflect the direction the health care industry is headed. We are scheduled for our next onsite accreditation survey in October 2010.

Since July 2009, many individuals have started this process. An education session with Accreditation Canada was held in July.

Teams have been formed to review the standards which are developed from best practice guidelines. These teams are looking at the standards that pertain to their particular area of care/service and coming to a common understanding of what is required.

Each care/service area will then complete a self assessment. The self assessment captures information regarding the staff member's perception as to how well AMGH meets the standards. Once all the information has been collected, Accreditation Canada will provide feedback as to where improvements to our practice can be made.

All hospital staff are asked to fill out a survey regarding their perceptions of the Patient Safety Culture here at AMGH and a second survey regarding their perceptions about their work life environment. Again, feedback will be provided as to where improvements can be made.

The next few months promise to be busy ones. Stay tuned for updates.