- Email: [email protected]
Program information form changes
Ask the CAMTS
Eileen Frazer
Program Information Form Changes
In the past, the Commission on Accreditation for Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) office has been able to accommodate a 60-day time frame between receipt of a program information form (PIF) and a board meeting. However, with an increasing number of programs to be reviewed by the same number of board members and staff, we must change this policy. As of January 1, 2003, the PIF must be received at least 90 days before a board meeting. This schedule allows a 30day window to review the PIF and schedule the site visit and a 60-day window to complete the site visit and get the site surveyors’ report to the appropriate board members. This policy change also affects medical transport services applying for reaccreditation. In the past, the PIF was not required until the ending date of the certification period. The accreditation then was held in place until the board decided, even though the date of the new certification period would revert back to the ending date of the previous tenure of accreditation. As of January 1, 2003, services applying for reaccreditation will be required to submit a PIF 90 days before the ending date of the current accreditation. Memos will be sent out to remind the services that are due to submit a PIF in the first quarter of 2003. Programs who seek reaccreditation receive a complimentary copy of the current accreditation standards and an applicable PIF approximately 1 year before the ending date of the current accreditation. Reminders of this change in policy will accompany the new standards and PIF. Another change in office policy is that PIFs no longer will be accepted unless all applicable attachments are submitted. The PIF that accompanies the 2002 standards includes a list of 76 attachments that are required depending on the scope of the service. For example, entire sections for rotor-wing, fixed-wing, or ground services may not be applicable, nor some of the general standards attachments, such as a policy for use of night vision goggles if the service does not use them. Therefore, only the applicable attachments need to be submitted. The reason for the change is that a great deal of time has been spent in the past policing the PIF and attach-
November-December 2002
ments after they are received and calling the service to request the missing elements. If you have any questions about an attachment or whether to submit a specific attachment, call or e-mail the CAMTS office before submitting the PIF. Eileen Frazer is the CAMTS executive director. She can be reached at P.O. Box 1305, Anderson, SC 29625; (864) 287-4177; fax (864) 287-4251; e-mail [email protected]. doi:10.1067/mmj.2002.129350
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Eileen Frazer
Program Information Form Changes
In the past, the Commission on Accreditation for Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) office has been able to accommodate a 60-day time frame between receipt of a program information form (PIF) and a board meeting. However, with an increasing number of programs to be reviewed by the same number of board members and staff, we must change this policy. As of January 1, 2003, the PIF must be received at least 90 days before a board meeting. This schedule allows a 30day window to review the PIF and schedule the site visit and a 60-day window to complete the site visit and get the site surveyors’ report to the appropriate board members. This policy change also affects medical transport services applying for reaccreditation. In the past, the PIF was not required until the ending date of the certification period. The accreditation then was held in place until the board decided, even though the date of the new certification period would revert back to the ending date of the previous tenure of accreditation. As of January 1, 2003, services applying for reaccreditation will be required to submit a PIF 90 days before the ending date of the current accreditation. Memos will be sent out to remind the services that are due to submit a PIF in the first quarter of 2003. Programs who seek reaccreditation receive a complimentary copy of the current accreditation standards and an applicable PIF approximately 1 year before the ending date of the current accreditation. Reminders of this change in policy will accompany the new standards and PIF. Another change in office policy is that PIFs no longer will be accepted unless all applicable attachments are submitted. The PIF that accompanies the 2002 standards includes a list of 76 attachments that are required depending on the scope of the service. For example, entire sections for rotor-wing, fixed-wing, or ground services may not be applicable, nor some of the general standards attachments, such as a policy for use of night vision goggles if the service does not use them. Therefore, only the applicable attachments need to be submitted. The reason for the change is that a great deal of time has been spent in the past policing the PIF and attach-
November-December 2002
ments after they are received and calling the service to request the missing elements. If you have any questions about an attachment or whether to submit a specific attachment, call or e-mail the CAMTS office before submitting the PIF. Eileen Frazer is the CAMTS executive director. She can be reached at P.O. Box 1305, Anderson, SC 29625; (864) 287-4177; fax (864) 287-4251; e-mail [email protected]. doi:10.1067/mmj.2002.129350
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