What happens to the application once it is submitted to the IAC?
Upon the application's arrival at the IAC office, it is imported into the database. Laboratories have five days to submit the corresponding hard copy components including the case studies, accreditation agreement, attestations and fee (if paid by check).
In-House Review
An in-house review of the organization section and a general review of the remaining sections to assess the completeness and appropriateness of the materials submitted is conducted by the appropriate IAC division staff. This preliminary review does not include the technical components of the application. If obvious information has not been included in the application (e.g.: an inappropriate number of case studies, missing protocols), the division staff contacts the laboratory to request the needed information. It is advantageous to the laboratory to send this requested information promptly. The in-house review does not guarantee that the Board of Directors will not request additional information, but does assist in avoiding some unnecessary delays.
Application Review
During the course of the in-house review, the application is assigned to two application reviewers who conduct a simultaneous, independent review. Application reviewers include physicians, sonographers, technologists and physicists who are employed in accredited laboratories, are credentialed and have been selected and trained to participate by the IAC. Over the next four to six weeks, the application reviewers complete a detailed review of clinical components, including the case studies, for adherence to the Standards.
Board Decision
Upon completion of the application review, the comments and recommendations are returned to the IAC office. These findings are compiled and further reviewed by the division Technical Manager and the IAC Director of Accreditation, in preparation for discussion and the final review by the division Board of Directors.
Notification Letter
Upon the review and rendering of the accreditation decision by the Board of Directors, the Technical Manager notifies the laboratory, in writing, of the Board's decision and, if applicable, any additional information required to grant accreditation. These notification letters are given priority and are sent in the timeliest manner possible. Two copies of the correspondence are sent to the laboratory; an original to the Medical Director, and a copy to the Technical Director. When accreditation is granted, the official certificate, press release, CD containing the seal of accreditation and Application Review Findings CD accompany the letter. These materials are sent UPS Ground to the attention of the Technical Director.
As illustrated above, there are a number of avenues through which an accreditation application must travel in order to complete the process. However, it should be reassuring to laboratories that the process of reviewing applications and determining accreditation decisions, though somewhat lengthy, is thorough and intensive — a fitting complement to the time, effort and preparation put forth by those seeking accreditation. |
