Visit the ICANL website at: www.icanl.org sponsored in part by Cardinal Health

What is ICANL?
The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL) is a non-profit
organization that provides an increasingly renowned method for general nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, and
PET facilities to evaluate and demonstrate the level of patient care they provide.

What is the purpose of ICANL accreditation?
ICANL accreditation allows nuclear imaging labs to assess every aspect of their facility’s daily operations with respect
to the quality of health care provided to patients and identify and correct potential problems.

Why do I need ICANL accreditation?

		Improves the organization of the laboratory
		Improves standardization of techniques
		Improves quality assurance and correlation
		Peer review recognition as a high quality laboratory
		Demonstrates accountability
		Can affect reimbursements

Is accreditation mandatory?
No, accreditation is not mandatory but it can affect reimbursements. Currently, United Healthcare in the state of Wisconsin has required all outpatient nuclear cardiology facilities to be ICANL accredited by 7/1/2003. In several states in the northeast, Oxford Health is requiring all nuclear cardiology laboratories to be ICANL accredited and all nuclear cardiologists must be certified by the Certification Board for Nuclear Cardiology (CBNC), Board Certified in Nuclear Medicine by the American Board of Nuclear Medicine (ABNM), or Board Certified in Radiology by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) by Feb 1, 2004. Also, Care Core National (a pre-cert. company for Oxford Health
and many others) has adopted Oxford Health’s policy for their providers.

How many nuclear imaging labs in the U.S. are accredited?
Of the estimated 6000+ nuclear imaging facilities nationwide, to date as of June, 2004, there are only 348 Nuclear Cardiology labs, at 505 sites, that are ICANL accredited in the U.S.

What is involved in the ICANL application process?

		Request the Essentials and Standards (guidelines and requirements) from ICANL and review
		Make modifications in your facility for compliance
		Complete the application
		ICANL reviews the completed application
		An on-site site inspection is performed by one ICANL representative

How long does it take to complete the application?
Generally, it takes 6 months the first time. Most facilities need to make modifications in protocols, reports, and quality control/quality assurance programs to be compliant with the Imaging Guidelines (JNC, Part 1 and 2) and the ACC/AHA guidelines for stress testing, which ICANL has adopted as their standards.

What fees are associated with ICANL accreditation?

		$200 fee “Essentials and Standards”
		$3000 application fee (Nuclear Cardiology, General Nuclear, and PET)*
		$3500 application fee for Comprehensive Nuclear (including PET and/or Nuclear Cardiology)*
		* All application fees include a mandatory site visit

Once ICANL accreditation is granted, how long does it last?
ICANL accreditation is good for 3 years. Re-accreditation is achieved by completing and submitting a new application for ICANL review 3 months prior to the expiration date.

What are common deficiencies found that would keep a lab from being accredited?
The most common deficiencies found (both from the application and the site visit) are a lack of CME’s from physicians and technologists, poorly written or missing protocols, reports that lack the necessary components per ICANL standards, and a lack or absence of a Quality Assurance program.

What does a site inspector look at during a site inspection?

		Staffing
		Physical environment
		Equipment
		Records
		Manuals
		Radiation safety program
		QA program
		Patient care (imaging, dosing, etc.)
		Random sample studies

Can more than one site be included on the same application?
Yes, there is an application fee of $1,000 per additional site. These additional sites may be included on the same application if the following criteria are met:

		Same Medical Director/RSO at all sites
		Same Technical Director at all sites
		Identical protocols are shared at all sites (policy and procedure manuals)
		All sites must participate in education programs, conferences, and in the Quality Assurance program

How can Cardinal Health assist me in becoming ICANL accredited?
Cardinal Health will provide solutions to obtain accreditation by customizing our accreditation assistance packages to meet the needs of your nuclear cardiology imaging lab.

What services are provided under Cardinal Health’s ICANL Services program?
Cardinal Health offers several packages from consultations/site inspections to completing the application for you. We provide such services as protocol writing or editing, review of all programs such as quality control and radiation safety, review of reporting, and complete site inspections of your facility. Our staff of experienced and knowledgeable consultants enables us to combine clinical expertise with full service resources to help increase the likelihood of success in the accreditation process.

Who do I contact at Cardinal Health to get more information?
ICANL Services information can be obtained several different ways. A Cardinal Health sales consultant in your region can assist you in obtaining information on the assistance that best meets your facility’s needs. You may also contact the Cardiology Solutions division directly at:

	Cardinal Health Cardiology Solutions 1220 Old Alpharetta Road, Suite 330 Alpharetta, GA 30005 E-mail: lisa.flexer@cardinal.com Phone: 614.757.4411 Fax: 614.652.4619