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The Importance of AIUM Accreditation

Graphic of AIUM

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.

This information was taken from materials distributed by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

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