FACILITY ACCREDITATION MODEL PILOT
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
PILOT PROJECT OF NEW ACCREDITATION MODEL AND FACILITY STANDARDS SET TO GET UNDERWAY
The College is seeking volunteer facilities for the pilot of the new facility accreditation model . If you are a Facility Director , sign up today to contribute your voice to the draft standards .
Facility Accreditation is an integral part of the College ’ s quality practice program , ensuring veterinary facilities provide a professional environment and contain the essential equipment required for patient care . There are currently more than 1,500 veterinary practices operating 2,300 facilities ( including mobiles ) in Ontario . All veterinary facilities must meet the requirements described in the Minimum Standards for Veterinary Facilities in Ontario . Veterinarians demonstrate a commitment to veterinary health care by meeting the requirements and supporting the inspection program .
The College Council , under section 8 of the Veterinarians Act , establishes standards for veterinary facilities which must be met to qualify for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of accreditation .
Over the past 30 years , the practice of veterinary medicine has evolved , as have the scopes of practice of practitioners . The Minimum Standards for Veterinary Facilities in Ontario ( MSVFO ), however , have not kept pace with the changing landscape of veterinary medicine .
The Accreditation Committee is seeing an ever- increasing number of requests for exemption from the current standards , indicating that the current approach to facility types and current accreditation standards lacks the nimbleness in an evolving practice environment .
Background
In October 2015 , the AMTF made recommendations to Council on a costeffective contemporary model for facility
accreditation and an inspection process
which would be effective , flexible and
responsive to the evolution of veterinary medicine . Council supported the proposed model recommended by the AMTF because this model is driven by the opportunity to enhance standards within the veterinary profession that reflect the services and scopes of practice that are relevant to a specific facility . This model continues to ensure veterinary facilities in Ontario provide a professional environment and contain essential equipment required for patient care .
Council at its June 2017 meeting directed the establishment of an Expert Advisory Group to draft new facility accreditation standards . The group was tasked with drafting standards which reflect an outcome-based approach and the services and scope of practice of the veterinary facility .
The Expert Advisory Group , which consisted of 12-15 veterinarians representing different facility types and species groups , met for 18 months .
Features of the new model
The new model of accreditation will fit the scope of practice of the veterinarian , rather than the scope of practice fitting the model . A veterinarian will indicate the scope of practice to be offered by the facility , including which species will be treated and the veterinary services to be provided . The accreditation standards to be met will correspond to the services being provided , including where the animal is being treated ( for example , in the clinic , or on-farm ). All facilities will be required to meet the Essential Standards as these will apply to all scopes of practice and species ( e . g . infection control , biosecurity , medical records , etc .). Additional standards that are required to be met will be specific to the veterinary services to be provided ( i . e . surgery , radiology ).
Participation in the pilot
In September 2019 , Council reviewed the draft Essential Standards and the Additional Scope of Practice Standards . Council provided preliminary approval
of the draft standards for pilot testing in 2020 . Due to the pandemic , the pilot was postponed . Piloting of the standards will take place this spring with facilities that volunteer . The pilot will be followed by a consultation to permit on-the-ground feedback and potential revision . After the pilot , an evaluation will take place and a report will be provided to the
Accreditation Committee and Council and shared with stakeholders .
The College is seeking volunteer facilities for the pilot .
If you are a Facility Director , sign up today to contribute
to the draft standards . You will receive an honorarium for participating , and it counts towards your continuing professional development .
2 College Connection Spring 2022 cvo . org