Types of MRI
The IAC provides facility accreditation specific to MRI in the following testing areas:
- cardiovascular MRI
- breast MRI
- body MRI [chest (non-cardiac), abdomen, pelvis, extremity]
- musculoskeletal MRI
- neurological MRI
- MRA
The Accreditation Process
Designed to serve facilities as an educational tool, IAC MRI accreditation is made up of two crucial steps. First, facilities conduct a detailed self-evaluation using the IAC Standards and Guidelines for MRI Accreditation and the application. Completion of the application requires detailed information on all aspects of facility operation as well as the submission of actual case studies for review. The case studies are crucial in determining the facility's compliance with the Standards, and are the basis for judgment of the quality of work that facilities perform. Once the self-evaluation is completed, the documents and case studies are reviewed by the Board of Directors. All aspects of the review are confidential.
Accreditation Decisions
Each application submitted to the IAC undergoes a simultaneous, independent review conducted by two application reviewers. Read more about the process»
The Board of Directors reviews the findings and renders an accreditation decision:
- Grant
- Delay
- Site Visit
- Deny (No application for accreditation is ever initially denied; facilities first receive a notification of a delay or a site visit).
The IAC advises each facility of its accreditation decision via a personalized notification letter. This letter, sent to the Medical and Technical Directors, details the accreditation decision and when required, requests any additional documentation to further support adherence to the IAC Standards and Guidelines for MRI Accreditation. Read more about accreditation decisions»
Maintaining Compliance — Random Site Visits & Audits
In an effort to further substantiate continued compliance by accredited facilities and in response to the requirements sanctioned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for CMS appointed Accreditation Organizations as part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), the IAC has implemented a policy requiring all accredited facilities to undergo an audit or site visit at some time during their three-year accreditation period. Read more about random site visits and audits»
IAC Agreement
Applications submitted to the IAC must be accompanied by a completed IAC Accreditation Agreement (current published version) in order to receive an accreditation decision. Obtain instructions, read important information and download the IAC Agreement on the IAC website»
Accreditation Fee
Access to IAC Online Accreditation is available for use by applicant MRI facilities. Applicant facilities are only charged the accreditation fee, due at the time of application submission. The facility will be sent an e-mail with a link to the website to download the application and given a user ID and password. Read more about fees»
Facilities with Multiple Sites (Fixed and/or Mobile)
The IAC provides a pathway for eligible facilities with multiple sites (fixed and/or mobile) to apply for accreditation with one application and reduced fees for additional sites.
Read more about Multiple Sites» |
