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The nurse anesthesia profession is known for its highly respected educational system and its strong commitment to quality education. Accreditation for nurse anesthesia educational programs was initiated in 1952 by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). In 1975 the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) was created and assumed responsibility for the accreditation review process. Since its establishment, the Council has functioned as an autonomous multidisciplinary body under the corporate structure of the AANA.
The Council is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the official accrediting body for nurse anesthesia programs in the United States and its territories. As of November 1, 2003 there are 88 programs with more than 1000 clinical sites and 3,600 student registered nurse anesthetists are accredited by the Council.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a peer review process that is conducted by private, nongovernmental agencies. Such agencies grant public recognition to specialized programs of study or institutions that meet or exceed nationally established standards of educational quality. The process of accreditation ensures quality assessment and assists programs in quality enhancement. Attainment of accreditation adds to the credibility of the program.
Standards of Accreditation
Standards represent minimum requirements to ensure consistency in the delivery of educational programs.
Accreditation standards for nurse anesthesia educational programs address administrative policies and procedures, institutional support, curriculum and instruction, faculty, evaluation and ethics. Compliance with these nationally established standards forms the basis for accreditation decisions made by the Council.
Accreditation Review Process
Nurse anesthesia educational programs are reviewed periodically. The accreditation review process for established programs involves the following steps:
- The program submits a written self-evaluation.
- The reviewers assess the self-evaluation study.
- The Council has qualified reviewers conduct an on-site visit.
- The reviewers complete a summary report of the on-site visit.
- The program responds to the summary report.
- The Council appoints an educational consultant to analyze the summary report and all supporting documentation.
- The Council intensively reviews all documents.
- The Council makes an accreditation decision.
- The Council notifies the program of its decision.
Council Responsibilities
The Council works with its constituencies to formulate and/or adopt standards, criteria, policies and procedures for accreditation of nurse anesthesia educational programs. Specifically, the Council: Provides information about the accreditation process.
- Consults on the initiation of new nurse anesthesia educational programs and the improvement of existing programs.
- Encourages innovations in program design and experimental programs based on sound educational principles.
- Promotes continuous improvement in nurse anesthesia educational programs as the basis for providing quality anesthesia services.
- Formulates and adopts educational standards and criteria for the accreditation of nurse anesthesia educational programs.
- Accredits nurse anesthesia educational programs.
Council Membership
The Council's membership represents the communities of interest that are involved in the accreditation process and are affected by the nurse anesthesia profession. The groups represented include:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) educators and practitioners
- Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists
- University Representative
- Health Care Administrators
- The public-at-large
Council Publications
The following publications have been developed to assist in the accreditation process:
- Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
- Accreditation Policies and Procedures
- Annual Report
- Reviewers' Exchange
- Program Directors' Update
The accreditation process provides assurances of the quality of nurse anesthetists' educational preparation. Through this process, the Council constantly strives to improve the quality of nurse anesthesia education and to provide competent practitioners.
For further information or a List of Recognized Educational Programs, please contact:
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
222 South Prospect Avenue, Suite 304
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-4010
Telephone: (847) 692-7050
Fax: (847) 692-7137
Website: http://www.aana.com
e-mail: accreditation@aana.com
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