Why be accredited?

It ensures that education provided by institutions meets acceptable levels of quality

Who gets accredited?

Private educational associations that are either regional or national in scope

How do they get accreditation?

Agencies develop criteria and then conduct peer evaluations to asses whether or not the institution is meeting those criteria.

If criteria is met then the institution is accredited

ARRT

American Registry of

Radiologic Technologists

JRCERT

Joint Review Committee on

Education in Radiologic Technology

How do students benefit from

accreditation?

*Provides assurance that the program will give them knowledge, skills, & values to be competent

*Assures students are eligible for licensure

*By having required carriculum, students have the foundation to continue to develop

How do patients benefit from accreditation?

*Assures patients that students have appropriate surpervision during learning

*Assures them that program graduates meet the minumum competency level.

How does a program get accredited?

*Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiologic Sciences

*Site visits

*Reports

Hospital Accreditation

• JCAHO (hospitals only)
• The Joint Commission
• The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
• Founded in 1951
• Approx. 91% of the nation's hospitals are JCAHO accredited

JCAHO

• Survey reports are not public but the accreditation decision is

• Accreditation is necessary for the institution to receive Medicare & Medicaid payments 

ACR Accreditation

American College of Radiation (ACR):  enforces & accredits the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA);  the ACR gives accreditation to MQSA

*All mammography facilities must be certified by the FDA under MQSA

*To get the FDA certification, the facility must be accredited & the ACR is an accrediting body

Under MQSA all mammography facilities in the U.S. must be:

1. Accredited
2. Certified by the US Dept of Health & Human Services
3. Inspected by the HHS or a designated state agency

NRC

What does the NRC do?

• Protects the health & safety of the public & the environment in civilian uses of nuclear materials
• Develops a system of radiation protection
• Ensures that users of radioactive materials keep exposures low

Users of radioactive materials must get what from the NRC?

Users must get an NRC license and be inspected

 NCRP

National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements

What does the NCRP do?

The NCRP (National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements) formulates & disseminates information, guidance, and recommendations on radiation protection & measurements.

CDRH

Center for Devices & Radiological Health

What does the CDRH do?

The CDRH (Center for Devices & Radiological Health) ensures the safety & effectiveness of medical devices & eliminating unnecessary human exposure to man made radiation from medical, occupational, & consumer products.

The Kentucky Radiation Health Branch is responsible for what?

• Ensures the beneficial use of radiation
• Protects the public from unnecessary exposure to radiation

As an NRC agreement state, the office has oversight for all activities in KY except for...

Federal facilities and certain quantities of special nuclear material.

The Kentucky Radiation Health Branch is responsible for what?

They are responsible for licensure, registration, & certification of all uses of radiation