The Importance of Accreditation
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
The Measure of Excellence
Accreditation by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) demonstrates a facility's clinical excellence and its commitment to the highest quality patient care when providing diagnostic ultrasound services. To become accredited, a practice must undergo a rigorous and detailed application process.
There are no state or federal laws overseeing the performance of diagnostic ultrasound. AIUM accreditation, which is a voluntary process, gives patients the assurance that a facility is qualified to perform their ultrasound examinations.
A patient who goes to an AIUM-accredited practice for an ultrasound examination
can be sure of the following:
- There is adequate space for patient comfort and privacy.
- There are complete records of every examination, which are available for
easy retrieval and review. The length of time records are stored meets or
exceeds state-mandated minimums.
- Policies are in place to ensure patient safety, confidentiality, and prevent
transmission of infectious disease.
- The ultrasound equipment is properly maintained and calibrated.
- All the physicians and sonographers in the practice have documented training
and experience in ultrasound and have the appropriate credentials for the
field. The physicians and sonographers have demonstrated that they receive
continuing medical education in the specialty.
- Actual cases and reports have been reviewed by the AIUM and show that both
the performance and the interpretation of ultrasound examinations offered
by the practice meet or exceed nationally accepted standards.
- After receiving accreditation, an AIUM-accredited practice must apply for
re-accreditation every three years, once again documenting that the level
of care it provides continues to meet the AIUM's strict standards.
Please Note:
This information was taken from materials distributed by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. For more information about AIUM, please visit their website by clicking on the AIUM logo above.
