The following standards recognize that telehealth is an important component in the delivery of health services. These standards build on the important work that began with the National Initiative for Telehealth (NIFTE) Framework of Guidelines, as well as Accreditation Canada’s previous experience with telehealth standards in the accreditation program. Telehealth has become an increasingly valuable and viable method of service delivery, communication, information transfer, and education. These standards enable an assessment of the components of the organization that support quality and safety in the delivery of telehealth services. These standards apply to any organization that uses telehealth to deliver services, maintain communication, or provide consultation or education.
As organizations work together to deliver telehealth services, there is often shared responsibility for the effectiveness of telehealth services. Any organization using these Telehealth Standards is responsible to ensure compliance within their organization, and to work with applicable partners and other stakeholders to meet accreditation standards.
Accreditation Canada’s sector and service-based standards help organizations assess quality at the point of service delivery. They are based upon five key elements1 of service excellence: clinical leadership, people, process, information, and performance.
These standards contain the following subsections:
Investing in telehealth services
Engaging prepared and proactive staff
Purchasing and maintaining telehealth equipment and networks
Providing safe and appropriate services
Maintaining accessible and efficient clinical information systems
Monitoring quality and achieving positive outcomes
1 Nelson et al, “Microsystems in Healthcare: Part 1: Learning from High-Performing Front-Line Clinical Units,” Joint Commission Journal on Quality Improvement. September (2002): 472-493.