Lamont Health Care Centre celebrates 100 years of continuous accreditation
The Town of Lamont presented the Lamont Health Care Centre with a plaque during a small gathering on Feb. 23 to commemorate the hospital’s 100th year of continuous accreditation which was awarded Sept. 2022.
Guests included Lamont County Reeve David Diduck, hospital board chair Kent Harrold, and Lamont town councillor Linda Sieker.
LHCC, which was built Sept. 2 1912, is surveyed for accreditation once every four years with their first accreditation recorded in 1921. At that time, according to the historical book ‘On Highest Mission Sent’ written by hospital board member Trudy Harrold, accreditation consisted of an inspection under the standardized guidelines of the American College of Surgeons.
LHCC was the first Canadian rural hospital to receive accreditation. Today, Alberta Health Services has partnered with Accreditation Canada to conduct the on-site accreditation survey of LHCC using measurements in areas such as long-term care services, medical imaging, and governance.
The high standards are developed by groups such as the Health Standards Organization (HSO) and International Standards Organization.
Lamont Mayor Kirk Perrin said he is very proud of the town’s hospital.
“I believe it’s the only hospital in Alberta that’s reached that milestone. We are very proud of its legacy,” he said.
“The hospital’s success is the town’s success, so we’re really looking forward to keeping that institution going for another 100 years.”
Author and hospital board member Trudy Harrold said the achievement is monumental.
“It’s a great honour. I know how hard the staff work for that accreditation event to occur. Our accreditation is every four years and there are standards that need to be met and requirements for accreditation,” she said.
“They have different levels of accreditation as well, and this year we achieved accreditation with commendation, which is the highest recommendation that you can have from Accreditation Canada, so it’s really special.”
Jana Semeniuk
Staff Reporter
CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S FULL LEADER – READ FOR FREE BELOW:
