• When are nominations excepted?
• What can be nominated?
• How should nominations be prepared and presented?
• How are nominations judged?
• When are the awards presented?

How are nominations judged?

Nominations are judged by an independent Review Board of 7-10 individuals. The Board is composed of experienced health care compliance professionals and content experts. A senior staff member of the Health Ethics Trust co-ordinates this Board, but does not vote or influence decisions regarding awards. The Trust also provides some administrative support.

In general, nominations are judged in terms of how well they meet broad criteria for best practices, and where applicable, how well they meet specific criteria for best practice areas. The broad criteria stipulate that best compliance practices will:

• Ultimately drive toward patient focused quality care;
• Involve the key leadership of an organization;
• Have a mechanism for continuous improvement and organizational learning;
• Engage employees at all levels;
• Be shaped by an analysis of relevant data and information;
• Focus on clinical, financial and organizational outcomes.

Members of the Review Board also take into consideration the particular type and size of the health care organization when they are reviewing nominations. This means that compliance practices are judged in context on the merits of each application.

When are the awards presented?

Awards for best compliance practices in health care are presented at the annual Healthcare Best Compliance Practices Forum. All award winners receive an engraved plaque and are publicly acknowledged at the Forum. A representative from the award winning organization usually gives a short presentation on their approach at the Forum. Award winners are notified of their successful nomination several weeks before the Forum so they have sufficient time to prepare a presentation.