Dear Colleagues,
Many of you are familiar with Accreditation Canada’s onsite visits, which evaluate our performance against evidence-based standards. The feedback from the accreditation process is essential in highlighting where we excel and where we can strengthen our organization to ensure safe, high-quality care.
Our most recent visit was in fall 2022 which results in Nova Scotia Health being awarded an "Accredited with Commendation" decision, an achievement that reflects the excellent care teams across the province provide to Nova Scotians.
As part of our broader mission to achieve excellence in healthcare, Nova Scotia Health is introducing the province-wide clinical information and documentation system, One Person One Record (OPOR). As the most significant clinical and digital transformation in our history, OPOR will streamline information for care providers and patients. Staff and physicians will need time to train and adapt to this new system. Therefore, Accreditation Canada has approved postponing our next onsite survey, originally scheduled for fall 2026 to November 28 to December 10, 2027.
This timing adjustment to our onsite visit will better position us to provide surveyors with detailed information about OPOR’s benefits to the healthcare system, strengthened by further implementation progress, along with updated policies and procedures aligned with the optimization of the new clinical information system.
Between now and our next on-site survey in 2027, we will continue the important work of accreditation with the same focus and commitment. This includes maintaining our quality improvement work, engaging teams in readiness activities, and ensuring our practices remain aligned with Accreditation Canada’s requirements.
In the months ahead, the Nova Scotia Health Accreditation team will be sharing more detailed information on this update to ensure everyone is fully informed and actively involved. If you have any questions related to accreditation, please email Accreditation@nshealth.ca
On behalf of Nova Scotia Health, we want to thank all of you. We are proud of our health system, built on the dedication and contributions of every physician, staff member, volunteer, and partner. Together, we will not only maintain our accreditation readiness but also demonstrate the transformative impact OPOR will have on patients, families and communities in Nova Scotia.
Sincerely,
Karen and Nicole
Karen Oldfield, Interim President and CEO, Nova Scotia Health
Dr. Nicole Boutilier, Executive Vice President of Medicine and Clinical Operations, Nova Scotia Health
