Accreditation Canada (AC) Diagnostics is pleased to announce that as of February 23, 2023, the microbiology laboratory in Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital (HKSH) has achieved ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation.  We are pleased that HKSH has selected the AC Diagnostics accreditation program, which has international recognition in quality and competence standards.

Susan is the Quality Coordinator of the Regional Genetics Program, whose lab background includes Biochemistry, Newborn Screening, and Biochemical Genetics at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). In 2016, she completed the Laboratory Quality Management certificate program from the University of British Columbia, then went on to begin her current role in the Regional Genetics Program at CHEO. In 2018, Susan joined the Accreditation Canada (AC) Diagnostics Advisory Panel and followed with training to be an accreditation assessor.

Dr. Deborah Yamamura is a Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Physician at Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University. Dr. Yamamura has been an Accreditation Canada (AC) Diagnostics assessor since 2004, with experience assessing microbiology, molecular microbiology and safety. Dr. Yamamura has also assessed the quality management system of various facilities as team leader.

Ivan is a Clinical Biochemist and Laboratory Director at CHEO and Winchester District Memorial Hospital, and the Quality Director at Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association (EORLA) in Ottawa. He has been an accreditation assessor with Accreditation Canada (AC) Diagnostics for eight years and has assessed various laboratory disciplines and served as team lead several times. The opportunity has allowed Ivan to travel across Ontario to assess numerous facilities and organizations, working alongside volunteers and AC Diagnostics staff.

Accreditation Canada (AC) Diagnostics relies on physicians, physicists, technologists, managers and scientists to serve as assessors for the accreditation program.  AC Diagnostics accreditation assessors volunteer their time and expertise to participate in numerous assessment visits each year.

Accreditation Canada Diagnostics is pleased to announce the laboratory services at the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association (EORLA), a member-based, non-profit organization operating 18 licensed, acute-care, hospital-based laboratories that service clinical programs across the Champlain Region of Eastern Ontario has achieved ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation. In choosing this option, the organization and facilities send a clear signal of commitment to quality for staff, patients, and other healthcare providers.

Every three years, in December, Accreditation Canada Diagnostics (formerly IQMH) releases a new version of its accreditation requirements. We are currently preparing Version 9 of the accreditation requirements but anticipate a release date of spring 2023.

We are pleased to announce McMaster HealthLabs has achieved ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation. In acquiring this designation, the facility sends a clear signal of commitment to quality for those to whom they provide services.

This article is written by Rob Kerekes, Accreditation Canada Diagnostics Accreditation Assessor; and Manager of Laboratory Services, South Huron Hospital Association

During this difficult time of hospital budget constraints and stress on staff and workload, the South Huron Hospital Association (SHHA) decided to invest in a laboratory renovation project to improve safety, efficiency and aesthetics.