Accreditation
Representing a milestone in the evolution of point-of-care CT imaging, IAC has released standards for CT accreditation. The program recognizes and will accredit private physicians to perform and read CT scans at the point of care. In particular, the standards contain explicit provisions for dedicated sinus and temporal bone scanning facilities. This means that your facility can be accredited for MiniCAT™ point of care diagnostic CT services.
The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) has been in existence since 1990 and has established accreditation programs for PET, MRI, and CT, among other modalities. Uniform guidelines from an established, third party professional accreditation organization is a common-sense approach to ensure that imaging is being performed safely and effectively by qualified equipment and personnel. It eliminates the need for arbitrary requirements which have dotted the reimbursement landscape over the last few months.
Now that the IAC CT accreditation program has been announced, Xoran MiniCAT™ customers have a great way to officially demonstrate the quality of their services to patients, staff, and insurance payors.
Accreditation Background
Advances in diagnostic imaging technology have enabled earlier detection of disease, more accurate diagnosis, and less invasive surgical procedures, while lowering radiation dose to the patient. As a result, imaging modalities are moving into settings closer to the patient’s point-of-care, such as emergency rooms, intensive care units and physicians’ offices.
As the use of imaging expands, a need arises for quality standards to be put in place to ensure quality health care is provided at an appropriate cost. To date there have been no clear mandated guidelines or quality criteria for emerging imaging modalities such as specialty CT scanners.
Accreditation Benefits
Accreditation agencies are responding to this need by providing a uniform nationwide mechanism for CT accreditation. There are benefits for everyone involved.
Imaging facilities obtain approval and justification to perform imaging services within their area of expertise, or are motivated to make improvements to their qualifications
Insurance companies receive assurance that imaging services are being performed by properly qualified facilities, and that the number of unnecessary exams is minimized
Patients receive safe and quality imaging services at appropriate radiation dose levels
Pathways To Accreditation
At present, two agencies have accreditation programs for CT – American College of Radiology (ACR) and Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Computed Tomography Laboratories (ICACTL). Other avenues for accreditation are expected to emerge as well.
Specific requirements of each program vary, but common requirements are that the imaging facility, devices, and personnel are properly qualified and capable of providing safe and effective imaging of the patient.
Also, the qualifications of an imaging facility can be enhanced by appropriate partnerships with medical physicists and radiologists.
The Bottom Line
Xoran encourages our MiniCAT™ customers to apply for CT accreditation within the next year. Accreditation will provide your patients, staff, and insurance payors with confirmation that CT scans are being performed safely and effectively by qualified equipment and personnel.
Although Xoran can not perform your CT accreditation for you, we can help our customers in several ways. Email accreditinfo@xorantech.com to find out how.
