Accreditation Canada (AC) Diagnostics is committed to advancing the quality, safety, and consistency of diagnostic imaging services. In May, the AC Diagnostics team hosted a webinar, Enhancing Quality in Diagnostic Imaging Through ISO 15189 Plus™ Accreditation, which explored the shared responsibility of health care organizations to raise standards in patient care. 

This session brought together health care leaders and experts to examine how the AC Diagnostics ISO 15189 Plus™ program strengthens clinical performance, supports strategic priorities, and reinforces a culture of accountability in Diagnostic Imaging.  

The ISO 15189 Plus™ program not only offers verification of technical performance, but also empowers organizations to reduce risk, reinforce staff confidence, and embed leading practices into everyday operations. Through standardization and continuous quality improvement, facilities are better positioned to ensure consistent, safe, and efficient care delivery. 

Panelists Kate Smith (Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital) and Nicole Jenkins (Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services) shared their organizations' experiences with the ISO 15189 Plus™ program for Diagnostic Imaging. Nicole emphasized the value of engaging frontline staff and the benefits of a diagnostic imaging–specific accreditation program. Kate highlighted how accreditation enhanced collaboration, clarified roles, and strengthened responsiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The discussion also highlighted common risks within imaging, such as delayed reporting, equipment failure, and interpretive errors, and emphasized how a robust quality system can help mitigate these threats to patient safety. As health systems evolve, a collaborative, standards-based approach remains essential to incorporating quality across all levels of service delivery and driving sustained improvement in diagnostic imaging.

We extend our thanks to all the panelists for generously sharing their expertise and for their continued dedication to advancing diagnostic care across Canada. 

For more insight and to view the full webinar, click here.