THE ACCREDITATION DELAY SERIES

Delayed accreditation may not be the disaster you think it is. But wouldn't it be nice to achieve accreditation on the first try? In this ongoing series, experts and members of the ICAVL staff identify the most common causes for delay and explain steps your laboratory can take to avoid any setbacks.

CONTRALATERAL, COMPARATIVE VENOUS DOPPLER SIGNALS
Contralateral, comparative venous Doppler signals must be recorded in those patients satisfying internal laboratory algorithms for unilateral duplex examinations. Ann Marie Kupinski, PhD, RVT, American Institute Of Ultrasound In Medicine Representative to the Board of Directors, details the value of Bilateral Venous Doppler Signals.

ANGLE CORRECTION TECHNIQUES
As high as 35 percent of the applications for accreditation received by the ICAVL demonstrate improper angle correction techniques, making angle correction issues one of the most common causes for delayed decisions. M. Robert DeJong, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, Society Of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Representative to the ICAVL Board of Directors, writes of the importance of developing uniform techniques and following laboratory protocol.

FIVE ELEMENTS OF A COMPLETE, ACCURATE AND TIMELY REPORT
The final report represents the key link between the vascular laboratory and the health care system. A complete, accurate and timely report is vital to providing optimal health care to that patient. John Gocke, MD, MPH, RVT, ICAVL Immediate Past-President and Representative of the Society For Vascular Medicine And Biology, provides an overview of the five elements of a final report.

ACCREDITATION AGREEMENTS
Are you ready to apply for accreditation? Before you mail the application, make sure that you have completed and enclosed a complete, accurate Accreditation Agreement. Because the agreement is a required legal document we cannot make a final decision regarding the status of your laboratory without it.

REACCREDITATION AND DELAY
Delayed decisions can have the greatest impact on laboratories seeking reaccreditation. Removal from the laboratory list and loss of Medicare reimbursement are just two of the possible consequences. Review the steps that should be taken to avoid delay, whether this is your first attempt at reaccreditation or your fourth.

STAFF TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Lack of sufficient detail concerning the experience and training of the Medical and Technical Directors and the medical and technical staffs is one of the most common problems found in applications for accreditation. Discover how detailed you need to be.

SECONDARY CASE STUDIES
Five case studies per area are usually sufficient demonstrations of the work performed in the laboratory. However, if your laboratory performs secondary instrumentation procedures, you will need to submit additional case studies. Find out when and how many in this overview of the standards' case study requirements.

PHYSICIAN SIGNATURES
Maybe laboratory reports are signed electronically. Maybe you only have the unsigned copy on file. If you cannot include a signed report, find out what you must include in the application.