[Accreditation: the outcome is worth the time and money]

When the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation adopted the Client-centered Accreditation Program (CCAP), we had to assess our methods and results and encourage the staff at all levels and the users to be involved. A complete change, considerable benefits: improved staff knowledge of the organisation, support and understanding within the teams, improved training through team meetings, more room for the patients and their families. Is accreditation costly? One cannot put a price on the degree of satisfaction experienced by the staff within a team who listens to their opinions and strives to make the daily routine as rewarding as possible.