The ICAVL: Fact, Fiction Or Misconception?

The day isn't complete in the ICAVL office unless at least one person has called or emailed and started the communication with, "Someone told me that our lab can't become accredited unless...", "I heard that we are required to..." or "Nobody told us that...". Sometimes what follows is very true, but often, the information has been passed on or interpreted incorrectly. It is often a matter of "he said, she said" that results in a loss of facts along the way, leaving people frustrated, misinformed and worried.

The list below has been created to clarify some of the more common misconceptions of 2003, as associated with the ICAVL accreditation process.

FICTION: "Don't call the ICAVL because the more you contact them, the more closely they will scrutinize your application or think that your lab has problems."

FACT: If you have any questions regarding the ICAVL Essentials and Standards or the application, do not hesitate to contact us via telephone or email. We would rather explain things to you in advance than have your accreditation decision delayed because you didn't call. We do not keep track of the number of times anyone calls.

FICTION: "I heard a lecture where the speaker stated that all Medical Directors have to be RVT credentialed for a laboratory to be ICAVL accredited."

FACT: The standard requiring the vascular credential applies only to the Technical Director of the laboratory. However, the ICAVL strongly encourages the credentialing of any laboratory technical staff members.

FICTION: "A colleague told me that if one of our doctors has not gone through a formal training program that includes noninvasive vascular, then that individual can't read studies or be the Medical Director of our lab."

FACT: There are many medical specialties represented in ICAVL accredited laboratories (i.e.: vascular surgery, radiology, cardiology, neurology) and this is one of the strengths of the intersocietal accreditation approach. The Medical Director and staff must meet one of the three qualification pathways outlined in the Essentials and Standards, and two of the three do not include a formal training program, residency or fellowship specific to vascular testing. The specific requirements for physicians can be found in the Organization standard at: www.icavl.org/icavl/pdfs/Organization2002.pdf.

FICTION: "Everyone knows that if you don't have a Registered Vascular Technologist, your lab simply will not be granted accreditation by the ICAVL."

FACT: In February 2003, the ICAVL Board Of Directors approved a policy that allows a laboratory without a vascular-credentialed Technical Director to be granted a one-year provisional accreditation, while taking the necessary steps to meet this standard. The entire policy can be read on our website at the following: www.icavl.org/icavl/news/articles/technical.htm.

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