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Upon
an application's arrival at the ICAMRL office, it is unpacked
and organized for processing. Once key data is entered
into the database, the application is then assigned an identification
number and filed in a holding area.
Once
the application is placed in the holding file, it is ready to
undergo an in-house review of the organization application and
a general review of the remaining application sections to assess
the completeness and appropriateness of the materials submitted.
Please note this is a preliminary review, and does not include the technical components of the application.
If obvious information has not been included in the application
(e.g., incomplete CME information, inappropriate number
of case studies), the ICAMRL staff contacts the
laboratory to request needed information. It is advantageous
to the laboratory to send this information as soon as possible,
so that it can be included with the application before it is
sent to the Application Reviewers. The in-house review does not guarantee that the Board of Directors will not request
more information, but does assist in avoiding some unnecessary
delays.
During the course of the in-house review, the applications are then assigned to application reviewers. ICAMRL application reviewers include physicians and technologists; all are employed in accredited laboratories, are credentialed and have attended an invitational training workshop with the ICAMRL. Each application is individually assigned and shipped to two reviewers, based upon each reviewer's expertise and availability. 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 ICAMRL Standards.
Upon completion of each application's review, the comments and recommendations are returned to the ICAMRL office. These comments are compiled and further reviewed by the ICAMRL Technical Manager and the Director of Accreditation, in preparation for discussion and the final review by the ICAMRL Board of Directors.
Once the Board of Directors meets and makes the final accreditation decisions, the Technical Manager notifies each laboratory, in writing, of the Board decisions and any additional information required to grant accreditation. These notification letters are given priority and are sent in the timeliest manner possible. Two copies of 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, logo CD and Application Review Findings CD accompany the letter; these documents 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. |
