Intersocietal Accreditation Commission

GENERAL NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Areas of general nuclear medicine have been combined (e.g., musculoskeletal system/infection imaging/tumor and central nervous system/pulmonary system/hematopoietic, reticuloendothelial, lymphatic), with only 2 cases now required per grouping. For a facility applying for general nuclear medicine accreditation of more than one type, this change results in 12 case studies being required rather than the previous 22.

NUCLEAR CARDIOLOGY

Facilities applying for radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging accreditation are now required to submit 4 studies (reduced from 5), of which one may be normal. In addition, there is now more flexibility in abnormal case selection, and the requirement to submit 2 abnormal case studies from each interpreting physician is no longer in place.

The evaluation of case studies continues to be a critical aspect of the accreditation process, allowing the IAC to assess both the interpretative and the technical quality of patient care provided by the facility. However, after thorough evaluation, the board of directors determined that assessing the quality of the facility can be accomplished with fewer case studies, equating to less of a burden on the applicant facility. As an accreditation organization, the IAC is committed to maintaining an IAC Nuclear/PET program that balances the changing needs of both the nuclear medicine community and the general public by influencing the quality of patient care provided.

To review a complete list of the current case study requirements for IAC Nuclear/PET, please visit our website (intersocietal.org/nuclear/seeking/case_studies.htm). The IAC staff is happy to answer questions about these revised case study requirement by phone (800-838-2110) or e-mail (intersocietal.org/nuclear/main/contact_us.htm).