HIRING AN OUTSIDE RESOURCE

While not specifically recommended or endorsed by the ICAEL, some laboratories opt to hire the services of a consultant to provide assistance with the application process. As a service to labs applying for accreditation, the ICAEL provides a directory of accreditation consultants on the website. The vast majority of those surveyed - nearly 80% - responded that they either have not or will not utilize an outside resource (i.e., consultant) to assist them in the accreditation process.

OTHER TOOLS OFFERED BY THE ICAEL

Our survey participants were asked if they, or any members of their laboratory, have ever used the tools offered by the ICAEL for assistance with the accreditation process, and how they would rate these tools. The pie charts to the right show the results tabulated from participants who have attended a Getting Started Workshop, those who have used the self-instructional Getting Started Workshop CD, and those who read the ICAEL Newsletter. The results indicate that echocardiography professionals throughout the United States and Canada are finding these products useful as they work to achieve accreditation for their laboratories.

CONTACTING THE ICAEL

Over 75% of our respondents have contacted the ICAEL directly with specific questions. Nearly all who had (97.2%) responded with satisfaction and compliments for the ICAEL staff, finding them to be courteous and helpful.

In closing, Ms. Katanick commented, "While the predominant number of comments were positive, I assure the respondents that all of the constructive feedback they have provided through this survey is crucial to our organization's quest for improvement and has been reviewed closely. We particularly appreciate the time taken by those who provided detailed, narrative comments. This information helps us to understand our customers in a more direct way and identify specific areas where we can target our efforts to best meet the needs of our participating laboratories."