OTTAWA, May 19 /- In honour of Emergency Medical Services Week (May 16 to 22, 2010), Accreditation Canada is pleased to recognize Central Regional Integrated Health Authority (RIHA), located in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, for successfully achieving accreditation. Central RIHA was the first organization to use Accreditation Canada's new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Standards during their recent accreditation process.

"As an organization, we have gained valuable insights, helpful tips and important lessons from the accreditation process," said Karen McGrath, CEO for Central RIHA. "On behalf of our senior team, let me thank everyone involved for their hard work and commitment to this important initiative."

The EMS Standards, which are part of Accreditation Canada's Qmentum program, were developed and released in 2009 in response to an expressed need by health services organizations to assess themselves against comprehensive national standards. The EMS Standards are designed for organizations that provide ambulance services, medical transport services, and communication and dispatch services. Many organizations across the country will begin including the EMS Standards in their accreditation process, another step towards achieving consistent, high quality, and safe EMS care across the country.

"Congratulations to the staff and leadership at Central RIHA for their work in applying and demonstrating compliance with the EMS Standards," said Wendy Nicklin, CEO of Accreditation Canada. "We are pleased to have them play a lead role in pioneering these new standards. Their attention and commitment to quality and safety was evident throughout all aspects of the accreditation experience."

Accreditation Canada is a not-for-profit, independent organization that provides national and international health and social services organizations with an external peer review to assess the quality of their services based on standards of excellence. Accreditation Canada is accredited by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), and has been fostering quality in health services across Canada and internationally for more than 50 years.

For further information: Liane Craig, Director, Strategic Communications, Accreditation Canada, 1-800-814-7769 ext. 301, liane.craig@accreditation.ca