Advancing Rural Health Care, Inspiring Quality Improvement, and Showcasing Leading Practices Across Canada

Advancing Quality Home and Community Care in Rural Alberta 

For 45 years, Rocky Mountain House and District West Country Family Service Association (WCFSA) has been at the heart of home and community care in west-central Alberta. Founded in response to the growing needs of seniors and families in Clearwater County during the late 1970s, WCFSA began as a grassroots initiative by community members who saw firsthand the lack of home care support in rural Alberta.

We invite you to read their story and learn how accreditation has supported their quality improvement journey: https://accreditation.ca/news/advancing-quality-home-and-community-care-in-rural-alberta/ 

Showcasing Innovation: Leading Practices in Action 

• The Breastfeeding Support Moms Program implemented by Public Health Services in Northwest New Brunswick connects new mothers with experienced peers who offer flexible, empathetic support in person, by phone, or online. This community-based approach has contributed to improved breastfeeding initiation and duration rates. Learn more on our website: https://healthstandards.org/leading-practice/breastfeeding-support-moms-program/ 

• William Osler Health System in Ontario implemented a leading practice to address emergency department boarding and improve patient flow. The initiative reduced time-to-inpatient-bed by 13 hours and enhanced safety, access, and continuity of care for admitted ED patients. Learn more on our website: https://healthstandards.org/leading-practice/transforming-emergency-department-flow-implementation-of-the-admission-transfer-unit-atu/ 

• The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control led the You Matter Project to improve sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) testing and care in provincial correctional centres. Co-developed over two years with health care workers, corrections staff, and people who are incarcerated, the project produced foundational guidelines and policy recommendations to support safer, more equitable STBBI care. Learn more about this leading practice on our website: https://healthstandards.org/leading-practice/co-design-of-guidelines-and-policy-recommendations-for-sexually-transmitted-and-blood-borne-infection-testing-and-linkage-to-care-in-correctional-settings-with-people-who-are-incarcerated/ 

Educational Opportunities  

• Join our engaging virtual, six-hour course designed for Integrated Community Health Services Centre leaders seeking a foundational understanding of Quality Management Principles. This course covers key topics such as document control, management review, investigation of non-conformities, and people-centred care, making it an excellent starting point for those new to these critical concepts. https://store.accreditation.ca/products/quality-management-in-ichsc? 

• Preparing for Echocardiography Quality Improvement (EQI) Accreditation - this virtual course will help facilities prepare for their first EQI accreditation assessment event, or to prepare for a re-assessment. It is intended for Medical Directors, Technical Directors, and cardiac sonography personnel who will be leading the accreditation activities. The sessions will be interactive, relevant, and practical. We will provide you with tools, tips, and insights about the EQI accreditation process. Secure your spot: https://diagnostics.accreditation.ca/Education/Courses/Preparing-for-Echocardiography-Quality-Improvement-EQI-Accreditation