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Prior
to receiving accreditation, an applicant laboratory experiences
many benefits through participation in the process. Most significantly,
the advantages gained through the self-evaluation process are
the overall operational improvements that are a direct result
of reviewing The ICANL Standards to ensure compliance
and subsequent completion of the detailed accreditation application.
The input and advice experienced through the site visit are
also true benefits of the process. In addition, the detailed
Application Review Findings (ARF) letter, received by every
applicant laboratory, is designed as a tool to be used by accredited
laboratories to ensure continual improvement.
Beyond
these benefits related to quality, there is the value associated
with the perception of being an accredited facility. However,
to truly experience this benefit, steps must be taken to market
the distinction. Laboratories are encouraged to explore the
wide range of opportunities for promoting their accreditation
status. In today's information age and era of savvy healthcare
consumers, the general public has begun to understand the importance
of looking for evidence of quality, as it relates to their medical
care. News-oriented television programs, along with mainstream
print media, have spotlighted inadequate diagnostic procedures
and brought the need for quality in these fields to the public's
attention.
Among
medical professionals, quality assurance has become an important
and integral part of the present day practice of medicine. Prominent
organizations such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the American Medical Association
(AMA) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)
are continuing to require that health care providers submit
evidence of quality of care, including diagnostic services.
Staff
members of accredited facilities expend great amounts of time
and effort to complete the process and earn accreditation for
their nuclear laboratories. Following up this accomplishment
by taking the extra steps to communicate the achievement to
patients, referring physicians, and third-party payers will
enhance the overall value of accreditation experienced by the
facility. Whether within a small, private office or a large
medical center, there are many marketing strategies that can
be employed to promote the accreditation of the facility and
raise awareness of the commitment to quality embraced by the
staff of the laboratory.
PROMINENTLY
DISPLAYING ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATES
| The
ICANL accreditation certificate is designed to professionally
acknowledge and highlight the accomplishment of the facility.
Laboratories receive a certificate for each testing area
(i.e., Nuclear Cardiology, General Nuclear Medicine,
PET) in which they are accredited, specifying the
diagnostic procedures performed. Laboratory staff members
are encouraged to display the certificates in a location
that is clearly visible to all patients and visitors to
their facilities. To accompany the certificates, the ICANL
recently began offering certificate plaques. These attractive,
walnut plaques include a plexiglass cover to protect and
highlight the ICANL certificate and arrive ready to hang
on the wall. Visit www.icanl.org/icanl/laboratories/plaques.htm
for details. |
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USE
OF PRESS RELEASES AND/OR PAID ADVERTISING
Within
the certificate packet sent to each accredited laboratory, a
press release is provided, along with a form on which the laboratory
staff supplies the names and addresses of local media. As a
service to each accredited laboratory, the ICANL will send a
personalized press release to each of the indicated media (i.e.,
newspapers,
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