Integrated People-Centred Health Systems (Reaffirmation) - CAN/HSO 76000:2021 (R2025) (E)
About HSO Standards
HSO standards are the foundation on which leading-edge accreditation programs and evidence-informed public policy are built. Standards create a strong people-centred health care system that stakeholders can rely on to enable people around the world to continuously improve quality of care.
HSO standards are formatted using the following structure:
- Section Title. A section of the standard that relates to a specific topic.
- Clause. A thematic statement that introduces a set of criteria.
- Criteria. Requirements based on evidence that describe what is needed by people to achieve a particular activity. Each criterion outlines the intent, action, and accountability.
- Guidelines. Additional information and evidence to support the implementation of each criterion.
About This Standard
This is a reaffirmation of CAN/HSO 76000:2021 Integrated People-Centred Health Systems. This standard is for use by Canadian and global health and social service ministries, administrators, and authorities as well as system provider organizations and networks that have identified the integration of health and social services as a priority.
For optimal operationalization, CAN/HSO 76000:2021 (R2025) is to be used in conjunction with other HSO implementation tools, products, and services that enable users to achieve their integration goals and outcomes.
The standard is divided into the following 10 design principles, each of which addresses an aspect of health and social service integration. The design principles consist of criteria and guidelines that outline preliminary requirements for effective health system integration.
- Define the population and identify desired health and well-being outcomes
- Coordinate a comprehensive continuum of programs and services
- Optimize access, flow, and transitions
- Enable and support people-centred care teams
- Develop and strengthen system leadership
- Establish shared governance and clear accountabilities
- Align funding and incentives
- Implement interoperable information systems
- Measure and manage performance based on impact
- Embed an adaptive learning culture
CAN/HSO 76000:2021 (R2025) was developed using the best available evidence, international best practices, case studies of integrated health and social services systems, and the expertise of people with lived experience.
The published evidence used to inform this standard can be found in the bibliography.
This standard is not intended to be used as part of a conformity assessment. This standard will undergo periodic maintenance. HSO will review and publish this standard on a schedule not to exceed five years from the date of publication.
Scope
Purpose
CAN/HSO 76000:2021 (R2025) Integrated People-Centred Health Systems outlines evidence-informed requirements to design, implement, and evaluate integrated health and social service systems. It is targeted to policy makers and system partners that are responsible for funding, planning, coordinating, delivering, and evaluating integrated health and social services in a designated geographic area or jurisdiction.
Recognizing that health systems are at different stages of their integration journeys, the standard is designed to be adapted to local contexts and needs and can be used to inform the design and implementation of various integration strategies.
Applicability
CAN/HSO 76000:2021 (R2025) Integrated People-Centred Health Systems is intended for Canadian and international health and social service systems and is for use by policy makers and system partners including sectors that address the SDH.
Acknowledgements
HSO is grateful to and acknowledges the valuable contributions of the following people in the development of this standard:
Heather Gifford, PhD
Whakauae Research for Māori Health and Development
Whanganui, New Zealand
Thomas Custers
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ontario, Canada
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