What are the benefits of EACVI Laboratory Accreditation?
Educational benefits
- preference to be a hosting centre for EACVI grant recipients (prestige and reimbursement)
- preference in participation in EACVI-specific educational projects (e.g. e-learning)
- preference to be a hosting centre for fellowships
- preference in the selection for educational courses and meetings
Scientific benefits
- preference to participate in EACVI-specific scientific projects
Research benefits
- strong preference for research programmes
Economic benefits
- preference to be selected for trials with echo sub-studies
The aim of EACVI Laboratory Accreditation is to raise quality standards of practice and equipment across Europe in a uniform manner. It is also designed to be used as an educational tool to improve the overall quality of laboratories.
EACVI Laboratory Accreditation also provides laboratories with standards against which they can benchmark themselves and it may be used to reinforce a case for the purchase or upgrade of equipment and facilities to meet these standards.
What this process does not provide is a legal framework for practice but represents a voluntary process of standards that must function within national and local regulations. It is designed to apply to all ESC member countries whatever their model of provision of echocardiography.
Requirements
Eligibility rules
To be eligible, echocardiography laboratories should meet the following requirements:
- Must have been established for at least 3 years
- Have at least the head, lead or a senior member of the laboratory holding an EACVI or mutually recognised individual certification in the modules applied for (except for SE), preferably at the time of applying (refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details)
- There is no restriction on the type of centres (private, university laboratories, etc.); all institutions can apply.
Please note: Laboratories which achieve accreditation status may be selected at random for a visit from the committee to verify the information on their submitted documents.
Language of submission
The application must be submitted in English.
The documents attached to the application must be the original ones (e.g. patient information leaflets, standard procedure documents, etc…). In case these original documents are in national language, they must be accompanied by English translations.
Please note that the English translation does not need to be officially certified but needs to be clear and understandable. The laboratory is responsible for issuing such translation. The original document must be compliant with the translated one. If it is not the case, we reserve the right to decline the application.
General rules
- The TTE module is mandatory in order to apply for any other module.
- A laboratory must be successful in TTE to receive accreditation in TOE or SE.
- To be eligible for advanced accreditation in TTE the head/s of the laboratory must be individually certified in TTE by EACVI or a mutually recognised organisation.
- The EACVI Committee Members may visit any EACVI accredited Laboratory to proceed with an on-site inspection and verification.
Applying for advanced accreditation does not guarantee being granted this grade. Your laboratory may receive a standard grade if it does not meet the requirements for advanced accreditation.
Process for applications
EACVI Laboratory accreditation applications must be submitted online and can be done at any time.
What happens after laboratories have submitted their application online?
- Once submitted, an application is no longer editable/modifiable.
- Notify the accreditation office by email once you have completed your submission in full.
- The application is first reviewed by the EACVI Accreditation Office for an administrative check. If the application is incomplete, the laboratory will be contacted and asked to supply missing information within one month's time.
- If your application is complete, it will be sent to the representative of the relevant National Society for review and recommendations. This process may take up to 2 months.
- In case some information is missing, you will be contacted by the EACVI Accreditation Office and asked to supply relevant information within one month's time.
- After review by the National Society, the EACVI Laboratory Accreditation Sub-Committee will review all applications and recommendations of the National Society. The final decisions process can take up to 2 months - longer if further information is requested.
- Upon completion of the review process, laboratories will be informed by email of the results of their application by the EACVI Accreditation Office.
- An EACVI Laboratory Accreditation Diploma will be awarded to successful institutions.
In order to start the accreditation process, please register.
Reaccreditation
The accreditation is valid for 5 years. Find out more about the reaccreditation process.
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