Peer Review

What is the Peer Review Program?

The Peer Review Program is an elective assessment that compares a clinical engineering service with the current Canadian Engineering Standards of Practice (CESOP), to assess its performance, and provide the institution with an indication of the breadth and quality of the service and how it might be enhanced.

The Peer Review itself is conducted by Surveyors (volunteers of CMBES) who are familiar with clinical engineering services. Generally, there are two components: a pre-survey documentation assessment and an onsite survey of the facility and program. Surveyors apply a constructive approach during the Peer Review process by acknowledging best practices, identifying opportunities for improvement, and providing recommendations to assist in follow-up. 

If considering a peer review, a copy of the Pre-Survey Questionnaire is available to CMBES members ahead of a formal request by logging into their account.

What does this do for my Clinical Engineering Service?

  • The Peer Review Program enhances the sharing of ideas throughout the clinical engineering and health service communities. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the clinical engineering service within the organization. 
  • After a successful peer review, your organization will be posted on the CMBES webpage for others to see your initiative. You will also be presented with the prestigious CMBES Peer Review Certificate.

Requesting a Peer Review

  • Interested groups should send a request to the CMBES Secretariat at secretariat@cmbes.ca,
  • The requestor will receive a Pre-Survey Questionnaire (PSQ) to review, complete and return,
  • The peer review committee decides if the request is a candidate for peer review and informs the requestor
  • The scope is confirmed including: all sites, locations and dates, etc. for the Survey

Before the Site Visit 

  • The organization provides relevant documentation in advance of the Survey. These include: mission statement, goals and objectives, and strategic plans, organization chart, relevant department policies, standard operating procedures manual, etc.
  • This will include the pre-survey questionnaire which is based on the current CMBES Clinical Engineering Standards of Practice (CESOP).
  • A Survey itinerary to ensure that time is allocated to certain essential tasks. The duration of a survey depends on the scope and numbers of facilities.

During the Site Visit

The following are considered essential tasks of the Survey: 

  1. An introductory meeting with the Service Manager to review the itinerary and the organization of the service,
  2. Meet with the senior administration representative that the Service Manager reports to (if possible),
  3. Tour of the Clinical Engineering Service
  4. Audit to examine Service documentation and process of documentation including: service history, completeness and accuracy of work, PM compliance and inventoried information
  5. Meetings with most Service customers are an important part of the survey. These should take place in private, to allow a frank discussion of the strengths and opportunities of the Service.
  6. Surveyors Review (30 minutes) near the end of day for the surveyors to collect their thoughts and identify key issues, and prepare a synopsis for service staff.
  7. Brief wrap up meeting (30 minutes) with the Service Manager and Service staff to discuss the preliminary findings. This discussion is of a positive and supportive nature, and fairly brief.

After the Site Visit

  • Findings are summarized in a written report that the Service Manager can present to Senior Administration.
  • A post-survey questionnaire is sent to site to be returned to the CMBES Secretariat to improve the Peer Review Program.

Fees and Commitments

  • What are the fees for Peer Review? Fees cover expenses only and differ from one review to another depending on the Survey site location and where the reviewers come from. Fees are typically, requested prior to the review taking place.
  • What are the average costs for each surveyor (e.g. 2-3 surveyors, hotels, flights)? Approximately $1500 per surveyor (can vary up or down)
  • What is the time commitment for the Survey? Approximately 1 day per hospital, but with several hospitals 1 or 2 days is required to manage the review (e.g. 3 hospitals require 5 days).
  • How long will the peer review take to draft and finalize? Approximately 2 to 3 months from the date of the Survey.

Completed Peer Review