For 30 years, community surgical and diagnostic centres (formerly known as Independent Health Facilities) have been a part of Ontario’s publicly funded health care system. There are more than 900 Centres across Ontario licensed to provide a range of OHIP insured services.

Accreditation Canada is the inspecting body for oversight of mandatory facility-level quality and patient safety standards in regulation (O. Reg 215/23) under the Integrated Community Health Services Centres Act (ICHSCA).

All community surgical and diagnostic centres licensed under the ICHSCA are required to comply with the quality and safety standards and participate in a mandatory ICHSC Quality Assurance Program to support safe patient care. Each Centre has a designated quality assurance advisor who is responsible for maintaining quality and safety standards as set and inspected by Accreditation Canada.

Accreditation Canada has a 65-year history of conducting independent, third-party assessments against global health care standards so organizations can earn the trusted designations of accreditation and certification. Over the years, the organization’s programs and services have evolved to meet the changing needs of health care systems across the country, and today, Accreditation Canada is the largest, most comprehensive, not-for-profit provider of independent assessments in Canada.

Key Components of the ICHSC Quality Assurance Program

The ICHSC Quality Assurance Program enhances patient safety by assessing the facility-level policy and operations that support the delivery of ICHSC licensed services at a diagnostic, surgical and/or medical Centre. Formal recognition of this competency comes through accreditation. The program also provides Centres with the tools they need to standardize their processes, mitigate risk and drive continual quality improvement to ultimately improve patient safety.

The ICHSC Quality Assurance Program operates over a four-year cycle and includes the following key components:

• In-depth Accreditation Inspections – At the core of the framework is the thorough assessment of each Centre. This is achieved through the deployment of trained peer assessors who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the process.
   
• Certificate of Accreditation – Centres that successfully meet the criteria set forth by the ICHSC Quality Assurance Program and the ministry’s review are awarded accreditation certificates. This certificate serves as a testament to the Centre’s commitment to maintaining high-quality care and operational standards, distinguishing them within the health care community.
   
• Mid-cycle Monitoring – To support ongoing compliance and quality improvement, the program includes a mid-cycle self-assessment component. Centres will self-assess against the ICHSC Standards using an AC-provided tool and report an action plan on identified issues. Serious concerns will be reported to the MOH, and a reactive assessment may be triggered.
   
• Oversight from the Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) – The ICHSCA mandates that all ICHSCs must participate in a quality assurance inspection program and the outcomes are reportable to the director of the ICHSC program for potential licensing actions. The continuous accountability to the MOH is crucial for maintaining a transparent and responsive quality oversight system. Regular reporting to the MOH allows the Ministry to remain informed about the program's progress and outcomes which may impact a Centre’s licence to claim a facility cost or operate. Additionally, timely protocols are in place to address and resolve any issues that arise promptly, ensuring that any challenges are managed effectively and efficiently.

Through these structured components, the Quality Assurance framework aims to promote a culture of continuous quality improvement and patient safety within ICHSCs. By fostering rigorous assessment, recognizing excellence, ensuring vigilant monitoring, and maintaining open lines of communication with regulatory bodies, the program strives to uphold the highest standards of health care provision.

Services offered by community surgical and diagnostic centres include:

• Cataract and other eye surgeries
• Plastic surgeries (OHIP insured)
• Minimally invasive gynecological surgery
• Abortion
• Birth centres
• Dialysis
• Routine diagnostic imaging
• MRI/CT and PET scans
• Nuclear medicine
• Pulmonary function studies
• Sleep studies

More questions about the program?

Learn more about the program with the ICHSC Program Information and our list of frequently asked questions.

The Ministry of Health provides a listing of all licensed community surgical and diagnostic centres.

Accreditation Canada will be releasing more information about the program in the coming weeks. If you would like to submit an enquiry at this time, then please complete the form below: