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The ICAMRL office is fully staffed with knowledgeable technical and support professionals who are ready to answer any questions you may have while completing the application for accreditation. Below is a listing of some of the most frequently asked questions:
Don't see the question you were looking for? Contact the ICAMRL staff for assistance.
How long does the ICAMRL accreditation review process take?
Once the application is submitted online and the supporting documentation (case studies, final reports, etc.) from the facility are received in the ICAMRL office, the accreditation review process generally takes approximately 12 to 16 weeks to complete and the decision returned to the facility. This date is contingent upon when the application is received in the office. There are no fixed deadlines to submit the application. For details on complete review process, visit the ICAMRL Application Review section»
What is the cost to apply for ICAMRL accreditation?
Access to ICAMRL Online Accreditation is now free of charge. Applicant facilities are only charged the accreditation fee, due at the time of application submission. The accreditation fees are $2600 for the first MRI unit. For facilities applying with more than one MRI unit, the fee is $1500 per unit.
For more information, visit the Accreditation Fee section»
I work at a hospital not a facility; can I apply for ICAMRL accreditation?
All facilities that perform diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may apply for ICAMRL accreditation. The term “laboratory” is inclusive of all imaging centers, hospitals, physician offices, and other sites that perform MRI procedures.
I am new to the accreditation process how do I get started?
The first documents that must be reviewed are the ICAMRL Standards which is the basis of the ICAMRL accreditation program. The Standards are guidelines which were written by medical specialists in the field of MR imaging and comprise the ICAMRL Board of Directors. It is recommended that you download the Standards, highlight areas that you may have questions or shortcomings and call the ICAMRL office for clarification.
The Getting Started section of the ICAMRL website is a great resource to answering your questions.
What are the case study requirements?
Applicant facilities must submit six (6) total case studies for each MRI unit. Cases must represent each area of testing that is performed on the scanner (i.e., Cardiovascular MRI, Breast MRI, Body MRI [chest (noncardiac), abdomen, pelvis, extremity], Musculoskeletal MRI, Neurological MRI, MRA). For example, if your facility is applying in two of the following testing areas you must submit 3 cases for each testing area; if your facility is applying in one testing area, you must submit 6 case studies total.
For complete details and requirements, please visit the Case Studies section at www.icamrl.org/icamrl/seeking/case_studies.htm»
What are CE requirements for the technical staff?
The ICAMRL Standards require that the technical staff, including the Technical Director, show evidence of maintaining current knowledge by participation in continuing medical education courses which are relevant to MRI. A minimum of 15 hours of relevant CE is required every three years. All continuing medical education hours must be AMA or RECEEM recognized. Documentation of accumulated continuing education must be kept on file and available for audit.
If the Technical Director, or technical staff has successfully acquired the RT (MRI) credential in magnetic resonance the CE requirement is considered fulfilled.
Are facilities required to purchase a special QC phantom in order to become accredited by the ICAMRL?
Facilities applying for ICAMRL accreditation do not need to purchase a special phantom to perform quality control (QC) testing. However, applicant facilities are required to have an ongoing quality assurance program utilizing the manufacturer’s QC physicist recommended or equivalent phantom, to perform the QC testing. The laboratory is required to have an on-going documentation of equipment performance and technical assessment.
What are the ICAMRL quality assurance program requirements?
The ICAMRL accreditation program is comprised of several separate, yet integrated aspects of quality assurance in the laboratory. The focus and goal of these components collectively is to provide quality patient care. Each laboratory that applies for ICAMRL accreditation must develop and implement a quality assurance program that provides:
- An environment for patients that is safe and private
- Education about the test to include contraindications; pre test preparation, and the associated risks involved
- Emergency care, if needed
- Infection control
- Equipment maintenance, performance measures and assessment of these items
- Diagnostic quality images
- Quality interpretation of the images
All of these components must be outlined in the quality assurance program and must include who is responsible for the oversight and evaluation of each these areas of patient care.
Can you provide an example that can be used as guidance for the development of the lab specific policy and procedures?
Components of a policy and procedure that are recommended include the following:
- The policy should be laboratory specific
- The lab, clinic, office, hospital or medical center’s letterhead should be noted on at least the first page of every policy
- The policies should be numbered (i.e., MRI policy #5)
- The policy should have a title.
Example: Emergency Procedure for MRI
- The policy should be stated first, and outlines what you want to achieve
Example: It is the policy of Jacksonville Diagnostic Imaging Center to inform and educate all personnel the proper procedures to be taken in the event of a medical emergency
- The procedure is the step-by-step process that outlines how the goal stated in the policy will be achieved
Example:
a. stop the scan
b. assess patient’s condition
c. call for help (include number)
d. remove patient from bore or from scanner
e. start CPR
- Effective date, revised date, and review date should be noted
- Approval signature(s) from member(s) of the QA Committee
This is a very simplistic version of a policy and procedure. The content should emphasize the specifics of your lab and include as much detail as possible.
What policies and procedures will I be required to submit with the application?
There are several policies and procedures that must be submitted with the ICAMRL application. For the complete list, visit the Preparing Your Application section and access the Additional Required Items page.
What are the requirements of the Medical Director?
There are several training and experience pathways for physicians that serve as the Medical Director depending on the types of examinations performed in the facility. The Medical Director must be a licensed physician and ABMS board certified in a relevant specialty.
The Medical Director must demonstrate an appropriate level of training and experience by meeting ONE OR MORE of the following:
A) Established Practice – A physician who has worked in a magnetic resonance laboratory for at least five years, has acquired 150 hours of Category I CME relevant to MRI to include courses specifically designed to provide knowledge of the techniques, safety, limitations, accuracy and methods of interpretation and clinical applications specific to the anatomic area and has interpreted a minimum of 1,000 MRI examinations.
OR
B) Formal Training Program – Completion of a residency or fellowship that includes appropriate didactic and clinical MRI laboratory experience as an integral part of the program and a minimum of 300 cases specific to the anatomic area:
- Body – 300 cases
- Cardiovascular – 300 cases
- Musculoskeletal – 300 cases
- Neurological – 300 cases
- MRA – 150 cases
- Breast – 150 cases
The formal training experience is to be documented by a letter from the director of the training program verifying the areas of MRI expertise and the extent of the training experience.
OR
C) Informal Training
Didactic
Appropriate background for proper qualifications to interpret MRI laboratory studies can be achieved through accredited postgraduate continuing medical education (CME). A minimum of 150 hours of AMA Category I CME credits must be acquired within a three (3) year period. These hours must be met with courses specifically designed to provide knowledge of the techniques, safety, limitations, accuracy and methods of interpretation of MRI examinations and clinical applications specific to the anatomic area. Documentation of the CME courses, with a listing of the content, must be submitted.
Practical Experience
In addition to the formal didactic education outlined above, the individual must acquire a minimum of six (6) months of supervised practical experience observing or participating in MRI imaging procedures, preferably in an accredited laboratory. The practical experience must include all areas of MR for which the laboratory is applying. This experience is to be documented with a letter from the Clinical MRI Director of the laboratory where the practical experience was obtained.
For those examinations the Medical Director will interpret, experience in interpreting the following minimum number of MRI or MRA studies, while under supervision, must be documented:
- Body – 300 cases
- Cardiovascular – 300 cases
- Musculoskeletal – 300 cases
- Neurological – 300 cases
- MRA – 150 cases
- Breast – 150 cases
What are the Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements for Medical Staff?
The ICAMRL Standards require that the medical staff must show evidence of maintaining current knowledge by
participation in CME courses that are relevant to magnetic resonance imaging. To be
relevant, the course content must address the principles, instrumentation, techniques
and/or interpretation of magnetic resonance imaging specific to the anatomic area.
A minimum of 15 hours of AMA Category I CME is required every three years.
Correlation conferences or other internal meetings are not to be counted as part of
this requirement. Documentation of accumulated continuing medical education must
be kept on file and available for audit.
How does a required site visit decision differ from the random site visit or audit?
As part of the IAC accreditation process, applicant laboratories could potentially be required to undergo a site visit of their laboratory. During the process of rendering an accreditation decision, the Board of Directors may determine that a site visit is required in order to better assess the laboratory and determine the final accreditation decision.
Read more about Accreditation Decisions»
The random site visit or audit will be performed at an undisclosed date and will occur after the laboratory is granted accreditation by the IAC.
Are all accredited laboratories required to undergo a random site visit or random audit?
Yes, in an effort to further substantiate continued compliance by accredited laboratories and in response to the requirements sanctioned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for CMS appointed Accreditation Organizations as part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), the IAC has implemented a policy requiring all accredited laboratories to undergo an audit or site visit at some time during their three-year accreditation period. Read more about Random Site Visits and Audits»
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