All Vitalité Health Network laboratories meet high quality standards

Bathurst, Friday, May 11, 2018 – All Vitalité Health Network laboratories recently received accreditation from the Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH) for having met its national quality standards. 

The accredited status granted by IQMH is in addition to the recent national evaluation of services conducted by Accreditation Canada last June.  IQMH provides accreditation and proficiency testing services to medical laboratories throughout Canada. Based on a peer assessment system, the work of IQMH makes it possible to improve the diagnostic testing system by conducting an objective and rigorous assessment based on international standards.

According to Yves Goudreau, the Network’s Director of Laboratory Services, the preparation for IQMH accreditation is intensive since this organization’s representatives conduct a very thorough review.  “From five to seven surveyors visit our hospitals to evaluate our procedures in detail and audit our general operations to ensure we are meeting pre-established national standards. The pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical sectors are all evaluated,” he explained, adding that this exercise is conducted every two years.

According to the Network’s President and CEO, Gilles Lanteigne, this accreditation demonstrates the Network’s determination to maintain excellence in care.  “This recognition is tangible proof that we are continuing to promote a culture of excellence, as stipulated in our 2017‒2020 Strategic Plan. Our laboratory services and in fact all our services must make every effort to improve the quality of our patient care, since this is and will always be our priority,” he stated.   

The Network congratulates all its laboratory staff for this major achievement. Ceremonies to award the IQMH certificates have taken place in various facilities – a means of recognizing the work accomplished and thanking employees.  The Network has 10 hospital laboratories with nearly 350 employees.