What Is IAC Accreditation?
The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) offers voluntary accreditation for vascular testing laboratories. It validates that your lab meets nationally recognized standards for personnel, equipment, exam protocols, and quality assurance. Accreditation is increasingly required by insurance carriers and healthcare systems for reimbursement.
Personnel Requirements
- RVT (Registered Vascular Technologist): The primary credential for sonographers performing vascular exams. Administered by ARDMS. Most carriers and accreditation bodies prefer RVT-credentialed sonographers.
- RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer): May cover vascular scanning depending on specialty.
- RPVI (Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation): For physicians interpreting vascular exams. Administered by APCA. Recommended for lab directors in accredited vascular labs.
Equipment Standards
IAC standards require diagnostic-quality ultrasound with documented preventive maintenance and QA logs. This means:
- Documented preventive maintenance visits and service records
- Regular Probe Check results logged (monthly minimum)
- Image quality review documentation
- Equipment capable of performing all exam types your lab offers
Capital Health Solutions provides equipment documentation and QA setup support for your IAC accreditation submission.
Written Protocol Requirements
Written exam protocols are required for each exam type performed. Your protocols should specify: probe selection, patient positioning, exam sequence, measurement standards, and documentation requirements. The clinical protocol guides in this resource library can serve as the basis for your written protocols.
Quality Assurance Program
- Regular Probe Check on all probes (Setup > Maintenance > Probe Check) — run monthly
- Image quality review against baseline images at QA intervals
- Correlation studies comparing ultrasound findings to other imaging or procedural findings
- Continuing education documentation for all personnel
- QA log maintained per machine (date, what was checked, results, corrective actions)