In April, a team of surveyors from Accreditation Canada visited Good Samaritan’s Head office and 15 care homes in Alberta and British Columbia, measuring over 1,000 standards and 19 required operational practices. The surveyors were unified in their praise for Good Samaritan’s collective effort in preparing for this event, and awarded Good Samaritan Exemplary Status. They specifically noted the “sense of love and belonging in the homes” as a standout achievement and said this feedback is a testament to Good Samaritans’ unwavering dedication and commitment.
The surveyors from Accreditation Canada, a global, not-for-profit organization with a 60-year history of measuring quality in the healthcare system, congratulated Good Samaritan on its strong community linkages and partnerships, stable leadership, and high resident and family satisfaction. Their recognition is a testament to the organization’s commitment to quality and community engagement.
The Qmentum Global Program is an ongoing process of quality improvement activities and assessments. Good Samaritan was last surveyed in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. In his initial meeting with leadership, the lead surveyor said the survey had four objectives:
- Validation of the impact the organization has on supporting others.
- Assess whether the organization was keeping pace regarding leading practices.
- Provide suggestions where to improve.
- Support and provide feedback to celebrate the success of the team.
The lead surveyor noted significant progress made by Good Samaritan since the last survey, particularly in leadership stability, equity diversity and inclusion, and quality improvement. This progress clearly indicates the organization’s commitment to excellence and continuous growth. “Excellence in client care is evident in the homes visited by the surveyor team. Clearly, residents and families feel very respected and loved by the team, who takes their opinions seriously.”
The surveyors also highlighted the hospitality and maintenance teams, commenting on the clean and well-maintained buildings and living spaces. “Client-centred care is a priority at all levels.”
Following Accreditation Week, Dr. Katherine Chubbs, Good Samaritan President and CEO, sent a message to leaders: “It’s important to remember that accreditation is not a one-time goal to strive for but part of an ongoing process of quality improvement. This underscores our commitment to continuous growth and improvement. We are not comparing ourselves to others; we are striving to be the best version of ourselves. To the many people who played a role in Accreditation, the entire organization thanks you!”
