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The number of applications per quarter varies, but generally exceeds 100, resulting in over 200 reviews per quarter. During this time, two laboratories are randomly selected for site visits using a computer program created for this purpose.

Once the in-house reviews are complete and applications are assigned to Application Reviewers, the completed applications are boxed and shipped to reviewers who are located throughout the United States and Canada. Over the next four to six weeks, the applications undergo a detailed review of clinical components, including the case studies, for adherence to The Standards.

Upon completion of each application's review, the comments and recommendations are returned to the ICAVL office, and the ICAVL Technical Manager enters the information from both reviewers into the database. The data is then compiled and reviewed by the IAC Executive Director and Technical Manager in preparation for discussion and a final review by the ICAVL Board Of Directors.

After the Board Of Directors meets and makes the accreditation decisions, the Director of Accreditation notifies the 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 the correspondence are sent; an original to the Medical Director, and a copy to the Technical Director. When accreditation is granted, the certificates accompany the letter to the Medical Director and are sent UPS Ground in order to provide a tracking mechanism of the documents.

As illustrated above, there are a number of avenues through which an accreditation application must travel in order to complete the cycle. The Board Of Director's meetings are held within the same months each quarter, but the dates vary based on the availability of these volunteers. It should be reassuring to laboratories that the process of reviewing applications and determining accreditation decisions is thorough and lengthy -- a fitting complement to the time and effort put into their initial preparation by those seeking accreditation.