What Exactly is ISP Accreditation?
Independent Sleep Practices are essentially those solo or group physician practices that handle a variety of sleep disorders and primarily use Home Sleep Apnea Tests (HSAT) for diagnostics. It’s important to note that these practices do not have in-lab sleep testing facilities. When you meet the ISP Accreditation Standards, your practice earns recognition for its HSAT capabilities.
However, this accreditation is not designed for suppliers of HSAT equipment that lack a physical clinic for patient management, nor for large national companies that provide HSAT services across multiple states. The ISP accreditation has replaced the old HSAT Standalone accreditation, making it unsuitable for companies that rely on outside physicians for clinical services.
Requirements for ISP Accreditation
- Principal Medical Staff Member Qualifications: Each practice must appoint a principal medical staff member who is a licensed physician in the state of operation. They should either be board-certified in sleep medicine or have completed a relevant fellowship and are awaiting their first exam opportunity.
- Responsibilities of Medical Staff: This team can include physicians, licensed psychologists, Advanced Practice Providers, and physician assistants, all of whom must hold valid state licenses. The AASM recommends that these members be board certified in sleep medicine too. They are responsible for evaluating referred patients, managing treatment plans, and providing diagnoses.
- Patient Management: The ISP program is required to keep thorough documentation of each patient’s ongoing evaluation and management. Practices should handle a range of sleep disorders such as insomnia and narcolepsy, as outlined in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders. Plus, any patient prescribed PAP treatment should have a follow-up assessment within 12 weeks of starting treatment. It’s also required to have a connection with an AASM-accredited facility for further diagnostic sleep testing when necessary.
- Quality Assurance: The principal medical staff member must oversee the practice’s quality assurance program quarterly. This includes meeting specific process and outcome measures, and establishing minimal thresholds for these metrics.
Key Points to Remember
An ISP is a practice that not only diagnoses but also manages various sleep disorders using HSAT for evaluation. Just remember, this accreditation is not meant for HSAT equipment suppliers without clinics. When evaluating patients referred for HSAT testing, it’s crucial to assess their history and medical notes for appropriateness. Quality assurance applies to all patients the sleep program manages, excluding direct referral testing.
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