Updates to Adult and Pediatric / Congenital Echocardiography Standards Effective Immediately
As an accreditation organization, IAC Echocardiography is committed to maintaining a program that balances the changing needs of both the echocardiography community and the general public by influencing the quality of patient care provided. The IAC Standards and Guidelines for Echocardiography Accreditation are the most important component of that commitment. Composed by physicians and sonographers from the IAC sponsoring organizations, the Standards are reviewed periodically by the Board of Directors and revised as needed.
As a component of the accreditation process, the IAC Echocardiography Board of Directors preliminarily approved the proposed Standards which were recently posted to the IAC Echocardiography website for a 60-day public comment period. The revision was to both sets of Standards: IAC Standards & Guidelines for Adult Echocardiography Accreditation and the IAC Standards & Guidelines for Pediatric and Congenital Echocardiography Accreditation.
Standards that are highlighted are content changes that were made as part of the August 15, 2024 revision. These Standards become effective immediately.
Key Revisions to the Standards
Modifications are shown in the current Standards in highlighting and include:
- Examination Interpretation and Reports (Applicable Standard 3.2.2A)
- Examination Interpretation and Reports (Applicable Standard 3.2.4A)
Statement Regarding Revisions to the Standards
The revisions to Standards 3.2.2A and 3.2.4A serve to clarify the following:
- An echocardiogram must be interpreted by a qualified physician. The physician providing an initial interpretation does not have to be the physician who prepares and finalizes the report. (Note: Preliminary reports can only be issued by a physician. There must be a policy in place for communicating any significant changes between the preliminary and final reports.) (Standard 3.2.3A)
- The findings of a STAT echocardiogram must be made available immediately by an interpreting physician. The final verified signed report must be completed within the longer of 48 hours or the next business day after interpretation.
- Routine inpatient echocardiographic studies must be interpreted within 24 hours of completion of the exam. Outpatient studies must be interpreted by the end of the next business day. The final verified signed report for both inpatient and outpatient studies must be completed within the longer of 48 hours or the next business day after interpretation.
Questions regarding the Standards may be directed to the IAC Echocardiography Team at echo@intersocietal.org.