Proposed Revisions to the IAC Echocardiography Standards Open for Comment - IAC

Proposed Revisions to the IAC Echocardiography Standards Open for Comment

Comments Accepted Through July 1, 2024

In keeping with the IAC’s continued commitment to give our applicant facilities a voice in the accreditation process, we are pleased to announce the opportunity to comment on proposed revisions to the IAC Standards & Guidelines for Adult Echocardiography Accreditation and the IAC Standards and Guidelines for Pediatric and Congenital Echocardiography Accreditation. The 60-day public comment period will be available May 1, 2024 – July 1, 2024.

The Standards are reviewed periodically by the IAC Echocardiography Board of Directors and revised as needed. As a component to the accreditation process, proposed Standards that have been approved by the Board of Directors are then posted to the IAC website for a public comment period. These proposed Standards include changes to the current Standards and/or the addition of new Standards.

Statement Regarding Revisions to the Standards

The proposed revision to Standards 3.2.2A and 3.2.4A serves to clarify the following:

  1. 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)
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Review Changes or Submit A Comment

Submit a Comment on Proposed Standards

  1. Visit the IAC comment period website at intersocietal.org/comment-period or click the button above;
  2. Select the proposed Echocardiography Standard you wish to comment on;
  3. A window will expand with the description of the existing Standard and the proposed change on the left;
  4. On the right, fill in your name and comment in the boxes provided;
  5. Hit Submit.

At the close of the comment period, the IAC Echocardiography Board of Directors will review all submitted comments, consider modifications as needed and vote for final approval of the Standards.

The new Standards will be posted to the website and available for download at intersocietal.org/programs/echocardiography/standards.