Standards for provision and accreditation of echocardiography in Ontario

In March of 2010, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care and Ontario Medical Association jointly commissioned a Working Group to make recommendations regarding the provision and accreditation of echocardiographic services in Ontario. That commission undertook a process to examine all aspects of the provision, reporting and interpretation of echocardiographic examinations, including the echocardiographic examination itself, facilities, equipment, reporting, indications, and qualifications of personnel involved in the acquisition and interpretation of studies. The result was development of a set of 54 performance standards and a process for accreditation of echocardiographic facilities, initially on a voluntary basis, but leading to a process of mandatory accreditation. This article, and its accompanying Supplemental Material, outline the mandate, process undertaken, standards developed, and accreditation process recommended.