Intersocietal Accreditation Commission Report

Tamara A. Sloper

Maria Costello, BS, CNMT, NCT

New Director of Accreditation, IAC Nuclear/PET

Maria Costello, BS, CNMT, NCT, is the new director of accreditation for nuclear/PET at the IAC. Joining the IAC in 2006 as an application reviewer, Ms. Costello brings 15 years of clinical experience as a nuclear medicine technologist. She has held various leadership positions in which she was responsible for implementing radiation safety training and quality improvement protocols. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Wilkes University in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, and is certified in both nuclear medicine technology and nuclear cardiology. “I am both honored and excited for this opportunity to play a key role in the continued growth of enhancing health care through accreditation,” said Ms. Costello. Mary Beth Farrell, MS, CNMT, NCT, FSNMTS, continues her tenure with the IAC in an expanded role as full-time director of research.

Enhancements to the IAC Online Accreditation Application Process

In keeping with IAC’s commitment to continuously streamline the accreditation process, during the past few months several upgrades have been made available to applicant facilities through the IAC’s online accreditation application.

Presubmission Case Requirements Check

The applicant initiates the presubmission case requirements check after completing the application questionnaire but before submitting the final application. The check is performed by IAC staff within 2 business days. The check rectifies errors and inappropriate case study selection by facility users to make the application submission process more efficient. To learn more about the process, visit intersocietal.org/iac/casecheck.htm.

Easy Facility Staff Updates

Over the course of the 3-year accreditation period, it is important that facilities maintain their online accreditation account, keeping it up to date. Facilities with changes in medical or technical staff now have the ability to update their online accreditation account profile; hard-copy documentation is no longer required.

Multiple-Attachment Uploads

More than one attachment (such as protocols or final reports) as required within the application can now be uploaded, with an increased file size limit of 10 MB per question.

Notice of Items Missing from Submitted Applications

When missing or incorrect items are identified by the IAC, the facility staff receives an email directing them to the online accreditation account to replace the attachments and ensure their application’s completeness before peer review.

Submission of Case Studies

Although only one copy of case studies is now needed, they still must be sent to the IAC office on CDs or flash drives, once the online accreditation application data have been submitted. The IAC receives many inquiries on why the case studies cannot be uploaded for a PACS. Presently, because of the vast differences in image file size and image file type across nuclear/PET, vascular testing, echocardiography, MR imaging, CT, carotid stenting, and vein center, receipt on CD or flash drive is needed. Vast enhancements are under way with regard to reviewing cases through digital image sharing methods and will result in more efficient case reviews. From a customer perspective at this point in time, more efficient case reviews are being afforded with the current, updated method.

Process for Standard Revisions to Occur in 2015

Since introducing the opportunity for the public to comment on proposed changes to the IAC Standards for Nuclear/PET Accreditation in 2012, the IAC has witnessed a keen interest and active participation among the nuclear medicine community. The 60-day comment period remains an active part of the IAC’s standard revision process. Participating facilities are advised to anticipate an opportunity to provide feedback about the next round of standards changes, planned for February 2015. Once the comment period has been announced, the public may visit the IAC website (www.intersocietal.org/iac/comment_period.htm) to comment on any of the proposed standards for 60 days. At the close of the comment period, the IAC nuclear/PET board of directors will review submitted comments, consider modifications, and vote for final approval of the standards.

IAC’s Demonstration of Quality

Through maintenance of its certification for compliance with the International Organization for Standardization’s 9001:2008 and 27001:2005 standards, the IAC continues to routinely monitor its systems and to document continued improvement in order to ensure that products and services consistently meet customers’ requirements and that quality is consistently improved.

For general questions about the IAC process or specific questions about your facility’s online accreditation account, please contact IAC staff at 800-838-2110 or by e-mail (online-app-help{at}intersocietal.org).