Patient Safety is defined as the prevention and mitigation of unsafe acts within the health care system.
Accreditation Canada is committed to playing a major role in improving patient safety through accreditation. The accreditation process is a way of identifying conditions of unsafe practice and supporting health care organizations to promote safe care. In particular, it is a means of reducing risk and fostering attention to continuous quality improvement.
Accreditation Canada’s accreditation program has made patient safety an essential element. By complying with Accreditation Canada standards, the potential for adverse events occurring within health care and service organizations is reduced.
In addition to standards that address patient safety challenges, Accreditation Canada has developed Patient Safety Goals and Required Organizational Practices (ROPs) that are an integral part of the accreditation program.