Registering for the EQI Program

Phase 1 is an initial assessment to ensure facilities and staff have the appropriate qualifications, setting, equipment and policies/protocols in place prior to performing echocardiographic exams. Satisfactory completion of Phase 1 provides the facility with EQI Provisional Recognition status and approval to proceed with services.

Note: EQI Provisional Recognition must be granted prior to applying to the Ministry of Health to receive echocardiography billing privileges or commencing echocardiography services. Echocardiography services performed prior to receiving EQI Provisional Recognition are not payable by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and cannot be charged to the patient.

Once EQI Provisional Accreditation is granted, the facility can proceed to the second phase of the EQI Program. In this phase, quality and capability are assessed through an on-site review at each location and includes an observation of an exam and a review of randomly selected completed cases. Facilities will then receive recommendations for quality improvements (if necessary) to meet Standards. A certificate of accreditation is awarded once a site is deemed to have met Standards. Certificates are issued for each site within a facility.

Note: A facility may consist of a single clinic location providing echocardiography services or may have multiple locations under the same clinic name. Each location is referred to as a site.

Your participation in the EQI Program begins with an application. Please email eqi@acdiagnostics.ca with your interest and an EQI team member will contact you to start the process. In this step, we will ask you to provide information about your facility and your colleagues.

Please review the EQI Program Information for more information, including eligibility to participate in the program. Contact the EQI Program team at eqi@acdiagnostics.ca to begin your application process.

The following are key documents to let us get to know your facility.

1. Application form. Ensure you have reviewed the application and overview before submitting an application.
    
2. Facility agreement. The facility agreement is a requirement for participating in the EQI Program. If you work at more than one facility, you’ll need to sign a separate agreement for each site. Please send signed facility agreements in with your application.
    
3. Physician attestation of qualifications form. This form is a confirmation of your compliance with the Standards for Provision of Echocardiography in Ontario and a verification of your professional training in echocardiography. Note: This form must be completed by all medical staff that performs and/or interprets echocardiography in your organization.

Submitting a Declaration

Following acceptance of your application, the next step is a declaration.

An EQI Program Declaration serves as a commitment that the facility has in place the minimum requirements necessary to achieve provisional accreditation. Each of the requirements align to the Standards for the Provision of Echocardiography in Ontario.

Tip: Ensure all requirements are in place to meet Standards. Do not submit a declaration until these are in place. EQI Provisional Accreditation will not be granted if requirements to meet the Standards are incomplete.

If requested by the EQI Program, the facility must provide evidence to support their declarations.