CK Community Health Centers earn accreditation in-person this time around

The Chatham-Kent Community Health Centers has achieved its second accreditation, but this time was different.

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The first time the organization earned accreditation from the Canadian Center for Accreditation (CCA), it was done virtually in May 2020 during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, said CKCHC executive director Sherri Saunders.

When the organization went through the accreditation process in May, “this was the first regular process with on-site surveyors to be with us, see our clinics, meet our staff. . . have face-to-face meetings,” she said.

Saunders said staff were nervous this time around doing interviews in person, but noted there was an energy that came through along with a positivity and teamwork with the energized staff.

She added it was their “time to shine and be recognized for the great work they do.”

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Saunders said, “Essentially accreditation is a quality assurance program that ensures you’re meeting industry standards and the best practices associated with your delivery of services.”

She added CCA commended CKCHA on its overall quality structure, organizational practices and policies, how it governs as a community-based board, along with how the organization manages risk and provides primary care services.

“We came out with glowing remarks on all of those dimensions and domains of these standards,” Saunders said.

“Our first onsite accreditation review process has truly been another full team effort,” said Heather Carnahan, director of clinical and client Services at CKCHC, in a media release.

Carnahan, who served as the accreditation lead for CKCHC, added: “Led by a group of employee volunteers that made up our accreditation committee, every employee, client advisory member and board director has played a role in our success. It has been such a rewarding process to have some many individuals working together to again achieve this monumental goal.”

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CKCHC board president Tabitha Cook said in the release: “To be CCA accredited is truly a seal of approval.

“Our stakeholders can be assured that we have undergone an extensive internal and external review process that measures our practices against sector and industry standards.”

Saunders said a key benefit of participating in CCA’s accreditation program is that it promotes an ongoing culture of learning and quality improvement throughout the organization.

“By choosing to go through the CCA accreditation process, CKCHC is demonstrating its accountability to the community and its commitment to providing the highest quality programs and services,” she said.

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