Lab accreditation is a process that requires planning, organization, and attention to detail. Allow plenty of time and set aside resources when seeking ICANL accreditation. Labs should begin assembling materials for the accreditation application at least three to six months before the application submission deadline. Below are some simple steps to follow when seeking lab accreditation.
Obtain ICANL Materials
The one-time application fee for accreditation is $200. Laboratories receive online access to the application materials and supplemental information like The ICANL Standards. The ICANL Standards may be accessed online at any time for free.
Allocate Resources for Application Process
Lab accreditation is an educational process that requires both time and money. Before applying for lab accreditation, please be aware of the following fees:
| Application Materials |
$200
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Application Fees
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- Comprehensive Nuclear Medicine Accreditation Fee (includes Nuclear Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET)
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$3800
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- Nuclear Cardiology Accreditation
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$3300
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- Nuclear Medicine Accreditation
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$3300
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$3300
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- Multiple-Site Accreditation
- Mobile Service Application or Laboratory with Mobile Component
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$750 (per additional site)
Click here for more information about mobile services.
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| Review ICANL Materials
The ICANL Standards contain everything applicants need to know and are divided into two groups: Nuclear Medicine and Nuclear Cardiology. Each of these modules include PET. The ICANL Standards are arranged into three parts:
- Part A: Structure, Organization, and Definitions
- Part B: Procedures and Protocols
- Part C: Quality Improvement
Submit ICANL Application
As of April 1, 2009, ICANL replaced the quarterly submission schedule with a year-round application process. In order to be processed within the upcoming month, applications must be received by the first day of the month and case studies must be received in the ICANL office no later than the fifth day of the month.
In order to apply for accreditation or re-accreditation, the following items must be submitted online:
- Accreditation Agreement
- Application Fee
- Accreditation Application
- Digital Data
The ICANL Review
Once your application has been submitted, you must wait for the ICANL to review it. Keep in mind that applications that are not complete, properly compiled, and appropriately organized are rejected, so it's worth your while to invest the time and effort to ensure that your application is correct. For detailed information about the ICANL review process, visit www.icanl.org/icanl/accreditation/path.htm.
Prepare for ICANL Site Visit
ICANL performs on-site inspections of randomly selected laboratories, including a review of laboratory functions, documentation and personnel. Site visits are performed by a nuclear medicine physician or technologist and generally last four to six hours. ICANL will send the laboratory a letter that contains a schedule of what the site visitor will be examining and observing during the course of the day. Click here for more information.
The ICANL Decision
Following the site visit, the ICANL will issue one of four possible decisions:
- Accreditation granted. Accreditation is valid for three years.
- Provisional accreditation granted. Accreditation is valid for one year, pending correction of minor deficiencies that do not impact day-to-day quality of studies.
- Accreditation delayed. Correction of identified deficiencies or submission of additional documents is required.
- Accreditation denied. Correction of substantial deficiencies is required. The laboratory may appeal for reevaluation by another ICANL review panel.
Renew Accreditation Every Three Years
ICANL requires labs to renew their accreditation status every three years. The application process for re-accreditation is the same as the accreditation process. ICANL sends a re-accreditation notification letter 12 to 15 months prior to a laboratory's accreditation expiration date.
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