The Path to Accreditation Q/A for Paramedic Education Presented By Danny Miller

The Path to Accreditation Introduction Accreditation defined Why bother? The Self Study The Site Visit Maintaining accreditation Questions

Accreditation Defined... To accredit To attribute credit To consider or recognize as outstanding Conforming with a standard Webster’s Dictionary

Accrediting Agencies Institutional –JCAHO Program –Commission of the Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) –State Offices

CAAHEP 17 Review Committees Accredits 18 Allied Health Occupations Recognized by US. Department of Education (Until August of 1998) Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) –Eight Sponsors –Sixteen Members

CoAEMSP Two Representatives From: –National Association of EMT’s –National Registry of EMT’s –National Association of EMS Educators –American Academy of Pediatrics –American College of Cardiology –American College of Emergency Physicians –American College of Surgeons –American Society of Anesthesiologists

Essential Values of Accreditation Continuous Self-improvement Professional Excellence Peer Review and Collaboration Civic Responsibility

Why Bother? Good Question!

Why Bother? Uniform assessment of the quality of all aspects of the program Superior to “snapshot” methods of measuring program effectiveness Clearly defines the direction and goals of program Subscribe to a national standard of professional education

Why Bother? Validates Program Needs Assists With Appropriate Resource Allocation Gives Direction To Strategic Planning

How does this pertain to us? House Bill 405 –Licensure –Reform of the State EMS offices National Standard Curriculum

Paramedic Education is due for a good shake up!

Advantages of Accreditation Standardize Paramedic education Conform to the National Guidelines Compare to other programs nationally Rated by standards...

Who writes the standards? National Association of EMT’s National Registry of EMT’s National Association of EMS Educators American Academy of Pediatrics American College of Cardiology American College of Emergency Physicians American College of Surgeons American Society of Anesthesiologists Adopted 1978; revised: 1988, 1999

What are the standards? Areas: –Sponsorship –Resources Personnel Financial Physical Clinical

What are the standards? Areas... –Students Admission Evaluation Health Guidance Disclosure Identification

What are the standards? Areas... –Operational Policies –Program Evaluations –Curriculum Goals & Objectives Content Field Internship

Disadvantages Time Consuming May be perpetual effort Accreditation may not be granted!

Who may seek accreditation? Community, technical and junior colleges, senior colleges, universities and medical schools Hospitals and clinics with postsecondary educational institutional accreditation Postsecondary vocational/technical schools and institutions Proprietary schools Military medical services Institutional consortia comprised of one or more of the above

Who holds accreditation? 123 paramedics programs, as of 8/1/ States

State Mandates for Accreditation Alabama Colorado Florida Mississippi New Mexico Washington California (As of 2004) New York (As of 2003)

Initiating the Process Application submitted by administrative head of program Review Standards and Guidelines Create Self Study Document –Answer Self Study Questions –Enlist Help to Affect Change Prepare For Site Visit

Self Study Purpose: –Honest, critical, self-evaluation against a set of standards –True understanding of your program –Ideal opportunity to improve Coordinator needed Team effort, not recommended for a single person

Self Study Involvement: –Program Director –Medical Director –Instructors, faculty, clinical staff –Advisory Committee –Administration (Dean, Academic Depts.) –Other allied health programs –Other accredited paramedic programs –Accrediting agency

Self Study Process: –Review essentials and guidelines –Identify goals (short term and long term) –Divide up tasks and sections –Identify deficiencies and draft responses –Meet regularly to review and discuss –Compile and organize all documentation –Submit the Self-Study

Self Study Format: –Question and answer design –Narrative or list (appropriate to question) –Make sure you answer the question –“In complexity, seek simplicity” (brevity is beautiful) –Use exhibits and charts liberally –Be candid about areas of improvement and planned changes

Self Study Submit: –Loose leaf notebook w/ tabs –One sided copying –White paper –Organize per the study questions

Self Study After the Self-Study... –Reviewed by CAAHEP –Referee assigned to your process –Possible delays: Document clarification Correct essentials –Site visit scheduled

Site Visit Day One –Meet With: Program Director Institution Officials Medical Director Program Faculty Clinical Faculty Students/Graduates

Site Visit Day One –Meet With Advisory Committee –Tour Resources –Review Records

Site Visit Day Two –Visit Clinical Sites –Visit Field Internship Sites –Meet With Preceptors –Clarify Information - Program Director –Prepare Report –Closing Meeting

Costs Application/Self Study Review Fees: $ Site Evaluation Fee (Direct Expenses): Average $2, Annual Fee: $ –Increasing to $ in 3 yrs

Stumbling Blocks Sponsorship Inadequate Medical Control Uncontrolled/Unfocused Internship Inadequate Program Evaluation

Pitfalls to avoid Not starting the process Waiting until your program is “perfect” Confusion… Ask for clarification Avoid a solo effort

Questions? me. Thank You