Development of clinical engineering standards of practice and peer review: a process overview

The Canadian Council of Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA) has adopted a position that all health profession service departments, within health facilities, develop a process of accreditation. This accreditation would be administered by the profession's college or professional association. A steering committee, consisting of CMBES members, is currently developing Standards of Practice for Clinical Engineering Services within Canadian hospitals. Also, the creation of a Peer Review Mechanism will ensure uniform application of the standards. This paper outlines the process used to develop Clinical Engineering Standards of Practice and a Peer Review Mechanism. The process includes a survey of health professions existing standards of practice; a survey of existing peer review and accreditation mechanisms; and examination of existing statutes (the Professional Engineers' Act).