ICANL Report

Tamara A. Sloper

Resulting from the culmination of extensive research of the needs of facilities seeking accreditation, IAC has renamed its 6 individual accrediting divisions and implemented multiple enhancements to streamline the process. Sharing a common mission—improving health care through accreditation—the IAC offers multimodality accreditation in 6 areas, now designated as

• IAC Vascular Testing

Previously the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL)

• IAC Echocardiography

Previously the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL)

• IAC Nuclear/PET

Previously the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL)

• IAC MRI

Previously the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Magnetic Resonance Laboratories (ICAMRL)

• IAC CT

Previously the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Computed Tomography Laboratories (ICACTL)

• IAC Carotid Stenting

Previously the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Carotid Stenting Facilities (ICACSF)

As the result of a broad study designed to give the thousands who participate in the process a voice in the future of accreditation, the IAC learned that customers truly value the IAC's high quality standards, the broad range of specialties and high level of expertise, and its friendly, collaborative staff. However, the research also indicated there is an opportunity for improvement across the accreditation industry; the process often seems more time-consuming and frustrating than it should be. Based on these findings, the IAC is launching new programs and services to make the accreditation process better.

Today's IAC represents an evolved accreditation process to better meet the needs of participating facilities and make the process of documenting quality patient care more rewarding. New and future program enhancements aimed at providing a streamlined accreditation experience include integration of a comment period for new Standards; live chat help as part of the online accreditation application; accreditation checklists; consistently formatted Standards allowing facilities to easily navigate the format for each type of accreditation; electronic upload capability (including case studies), through a PACS system; research designed to validate the benefits and value of accreditation; and for accredited facilities, direct access to tools for promoting their accreditation and commitment to quality.

To date, the IAC accrediting bodies have granted accreditation to more than 10,000 sites throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. While maintaining its high standards focused on quality patient care, the IAC strives to allow applicant facilities time to focus on what truly matters—providing the best possible care to patients.

To learn more about the IAC accreditation programs, visit www.intersocietal.org. It features a brand-new video entitled “The New Face of the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission,” which outlines the IAC's approach in continuing to evolve and offering a process that is streamlined, rewarding, leading, and inclusive.