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5) Q. My lab purchased the application
materials a long time ago. What can I do if I never received,
or cannot locate, my lab's temporary login information/letter?
A. As a previous purchaser of the materials,
your laboratory is entitled to free access to Online Accreditation.
If you are unable to locate the temporary login information
sent to your laboratory in September 2007, contact the ICANL.
Your temporary login information will be emailed to an appropriate
person in the laboratory. Be prepared to provide a valid email
address and verification of your lab's account. For security
reasons, the temporary login information will only be given
to a member of the staff who is currently employed within
the laboratory.
6) Q. How long
will it take me to go through the process of completing and
submitting an application?
A. The new Online Accreditation format
has dramatically increased the efficiency by which laboratories
are able to work on and submit their applications. However,
the amount of time it takes a laboratory to complete an application
is variable and based on a variety of factors. You can accelerate
the process by collecting the necessary supporting documents
and editing/updating your lab's policies and procedures before
beginning work on the application. Other helpful hints for
working on your laboratory's application can be found through
the ICANL's online webcast series, Accreditation On Demand,
at www.icanl.org/icanl/community/ondemand.htm.
7) Q. Can more than one individual
work on completing the application at the same time?
A. Laboratories utilizing Online Accreditation
have the option of adding as many users as they choose. This
is one of the exciting features of this new application format.
This great feature is especially helpful for large labs or
applicant laboratories with multiple sites. Different people
may work on the application simultaneously, from different
locations. However, it is not recommended that two users work
on the same sections or questions at the same time.
8) Q. How do
I know that my application won't get deleted or disappear?
A. The majority
of the application saves when the user navigates away from
a question. Upon clicking the final "Submit" button,
your application is automatically stored in the ICANL's secure
database. The database undergoes regular backups.
9) Q. What can
I do to assure that my lab will be granted ICANL accreditation?
A. As mentioned
above, it is crucial that laboratories understand the significance
of The Standards and take the time to carefully review
this document, instituting necessary changes to their operations
before beginning work on the application. It is important
to remember that the ICANL does not restrict accreditation
to the "perfect" nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology,
or PET facility. Rather, accreditation is based on a policy
of substantial compliance with The Standards. Some
of the most common reasons for delayed accreditation are incomplete
reports, protocols either missing or outside of accepted guidelines,
and poor image quality.
10) Q. Will I
satisfy the UnitedHealthcare reimbursement requirement if I
submit my application after the January 2, 2008 ICANL application
deadline but before March 1, 2008?
A. The UnitedHealthcare
mandate states that laboratories that apply for accreditation
by March 1, 2008* will be considered in compliance with the
payment policy requiring accreditation. The ICANL communicates
the status of applications received and subsequent accreditations
granted, to UnitedHealthcare, through a process of daily data
file transfers.
*[Editor's note: In a change made after this issue had
gone to press, UnitedHealthcare revised its mandate by extending
its March 1, 2008 deadline into the third quarter of 2008.]
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