The most important reason to seek lab accreditation is to demonstrate the lab is providing quality electrodiagnostic studies that will contribute to improved patient outcomes. In addition, lab accreditation will show third party payors that the lab is committed to quality and providing a service worth paying for. Finally, achieving lab accreditation may result in improved marketability of the practice and an increase in referrals for care.

The lab accreditation program is a process that a lab must undergo to provide evidence that the lab is providing quality electrodiagnostics studies by appropriately trained personnel in a safe manner. The process involves the lab director completing an application and providing documentation about the lab facility and the personnel working in the lab. Once complete, these documents are reviewed by the ACEWM Lab Accreditation reviewers to ensure the published criteria are met.

The accreditation process evaluates personnel qualifications and levels of supervision as needed. The process also evaluates initial and continual training of the personnel. In addition, the process evaluates various criteria related to the facility. These include equipment and supplies, policies and procedures, and adequacy of the facility itself.

Physical therapists who are ABPTS certified in clinical electrophysiology will have a more streamlined process in some areas of the accreditation process. Much less documentation on training and supervision is required for ABPTS board certified clinical electrophysiologic specialists. To learn more about ABPTS board certification in clinical electrophysiology, click on the button below the questions.

Initial lab accreditation will last five years with a more expedited process for renewal at the end of five years.

Yes, non-ACEWM and EDX SIG members can have their labs accredited, but the cost will be higher.

The accreditation will remain in effect. However, the cost to renew will be higher.

See the website for the most up-to-date information on costs.

Currently, EDX labs that are not accredited can continue to operate. However, there are discussions at the national level to make lab accreditation mandatory in order to be paid for services by Medicare. From a business perspective, labs not accredited may also be less competitive than accredited labs.

No, site visits are not required for lab accreditation.

Yes, ACEWM lab accreditation does allow NCS technicians to work in accredited labs as long as they are appropriately supervised as detailed in the lab accreditation criteria. However, labs that use NCS technician can just achieve standard accreditation and not the exemplary accreditation.

Once the application is complete and submitted, labs can be approved within 6-8 weeks.

No. The main clinic with all satellite clinics will complete one application. Clinics with a large number of satellite clinics will have a higher fee and the application process will be more extensive.

Yes. There is a model policy and procedure document on the EDX SIG web page that can be downloaded and used as a model. Obviously, the lab will need to make many revisions to suit their lab. See the model policy and procedure document below the questions.

Yes, but only for the duration of the FELA accreditation time frame. At the conclusion of their FELA accreditation, they will need to apply for full ACEWM accreditation. Non APTA, ACEWM and EDX SIG members that have FELA accreditation will need to pay a prorated fee based on their residual FELA accreditation time or join the APTA, ACEWM and EDX SIG.