Correctional Health Services - CAN/HSO 34008:2024 (E)

Description

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 interest holders 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

CAN/HSO 34008:2024 (E) Correctional Health Services is a revision of the HSO 34008:2018 (E) Correctional Services of Canada Health Services standard. The goal of this standard is to support the delivery of high-quality and safe health care that meets the distinct needs of Correctional Service Canada Health Services’ diverse population of clients.

CAN/HSO 34008:2024 (E) Correctional Health Services is based on findings from literature reviews, clinical expertise, evidence-informed practices, and those with lived experiences.

The target audiences for this standard include clients of Correctional Service Canada Health Services, their substitute decision makers and designated support persons, and Health Services teams and leaders.

The content of this standard is structured into the following sections:

Respecting Client Rights in the Design and Delivery of High-Quality and Safe Care
Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Rights in the Design and Delivery of High-Quality and Safe Care
Conducting Comprehensive Assessments
Co-designing Individualized Care Plans
Following Safety and Public Health Practices
Facilitating Continuity of Care
Maintaining a Healthy and Competent Workforce
Promoting Continuous Quality Improvement

This standard integrates the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion outlined in Annex A: Guiding Principles for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

This standard guides Correctional Service Canada Health Services teams and leaders on

providing evidence-informed, client-centred care that values compassion, respect, dignity, trust, and autonomy;
working in a team-based way to deliver culturally sensitive and trauma-informed care to meet clients’ goals, abilities, and preferences;
maintaining a healthy and competent Health Services workforce; and
adhering to strong practices and a culture that is outcome-focused and committed to continuous learning and quality improvement.

In addition to the above, the standard also provides

external assessment bodies with evidence-informed content that can be used in assessment programs; and
decision makers with a quality and safety blueprint to guide policy development, and requirements to support the delivery of high-quality, client-centred care, and to maintain a healthy and competent Health Services workforce.

The published evidence used to inform this standard can be found in the bibliography.

This standard is 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

This standard provides teams and leaders of correctional services with criteria and guidelines for delivering high-quality and safe care.

This standard outlines requirements for key areas of focus, including:

client rights to care;
equity-based care;
physical health;
mental health and addictions care;
safety and public health practices;
virtual care;
palliative care; and
a healthy and competent workforce.

Applicability

This standard applies to teams and leaders of correctional services who provide health services to incarcerated people from intake to release. This standard sets requirements for high-quality and safe care provided to people aged 18 years and over sentenced to two years or more in a federal correctional facility, including facilities at all security levels and healing lodges operated by Correctional Service Canada.

The content of this standard would also apply to municipal, provincial, and territorial correctional facilities with adaptation to reflect the population needs and accountability for service delivery under the Canada Health Act. Future work to apply this standard to other correctional settings may be guided by feedback received from municipal, provincial, and territorial interest holders.

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