We are pleased to announce that Version 9 (June 2023) of the Accreditation Canada (AC) Diagnostics Medical Laboratory Requirements is now available. Laboratories currently enrolled for AC Diagnostics accreditation have access to all files related to this version through the secure client portal, QView™. The Qview™ folder with these files can be found under General – Accreditation, Laboratory Program, Accreditation Requirements. It contains the requirements, a change report comparing Version 8 to Version 9, and an updated list of references to support the requirements. Documents are available in English and French. In addition, an educational PowerPoint has been added under General – Accreditation, Laboratory Program, Educational Material. The French version of the education material will follow.

Accreditation Canada (AC) Diagnostics is pleased to announce the Genetics Diagnostics Laboratory at CHEO has successfully achieved ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation. The CHEO Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory provides molecular and cytogenetic analysis for disorders affecting children and adults and is a partner in the Genome-wide Sequencing Ontario (GSO) program for rare disease diagnostics.

Med-Chem Health Care (owner/operator of Vector Health Laboratories) was issued their ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation certificate on July 11, 2022. They are a proudly Canadian-owned and operated health care organization founded in 2021 that is focused on providing unparalleled clinical laboratory services to clients using ground-breaking innovations and state of the art technology.

Congratulations to Omega Laboratories Inc., Ontario who achieved ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation on June 15, 2022, for their Mississauga, Ontario facility.

Omega Laboratories Inc. is a U.S.-based forensics laboratory whose main business is employee drug testing. In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Omega Laboratories Inc. opened facilities in British Columbia and Ontario to provide COVID-19 antigen testing to support the Film and Television Industry.

We would like to recognize the Woodlands Limited Pathology Laboratory team in Guyana who have put in significant time and effort to ensure that their laboratory program is built on quality. In pursuing and acquiring ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation from Accreditation Canada Diagnostics, the facility sends a clear signal of commitment to their community for timely, accurate and consistent reports while they maintain health and safety for all staff.

Mackenzie Health, a multi-site organization, has achieved ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation for all its sites. They received their first ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation in August 2009 with Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, and in February 2022, the remaining four laboratory services followed suit, namely,  Mackenzie Health, the Cortelluci Vaughn Hospital, The Chronic Kidney Disease Program, and the Mackenzie Health Urgent Care Centre.

The current version (version 8) of the Accreditation Requirements and Guidance Information document is due for a complete review to ensure continued suitability considering changes to the referenced documents and current methodologies.