Surgical Technology Standards Interpretive Guide (SIG)

1 ARC/STSA ST Standards Interpretive Guide 1 0816 Surgical Technology Standards Interpretive Guide (SIG) Keyed to the 2013 Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) 6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 110 Littleton, CO 80120-8031 The ARC/STSA Standards Interpretive Guide (SIG) is subject to revision. Please view the current version of SIG online at ARC/STSA ST Standards Interpretive Guide 2 0816 Table of Contents Standard I Sponsoring Educational Institution page 3 Consortium Sponsor page 4 Responsibilities of the Sponsor page 5 Standard II Program Goals and Outcomes Needs Assessment page 6-8 Program Goals and Outcomes Program Advisory Committee page 9-10 Program Goals and Outcomes Minimum Expectations page 11-12 Standard III Resources Type and Amount page 13-17 Faculty Resources page 18-21 Curriculum page 22-24 Curriculum-Clinical Case

2 Requirements 6e page 25 Resource Assessment page 26-27 Standard IV Student Evaluation page 28-29 and Outcomes Assessment page 30-35 Standard V , , and Publications and Disclosures page 36 Lawful and Non-Discriminatory Practices page 37 Safeguards page 38 Student Records page 39 Substantive Changes page 40 Clinical Affiliations page 41 Glossary of Terms page 42-44 Appendix Sample Program Effectiveness Plan page 45 Formatting a Single-Citation Findings Letter Response Sample/Example page 46 Formatting a Compound Citation Findings Letter Response Sample/Example page 47-48 Preparation and Submission of a Findings Letter Response page 49 Plan of Action and Timeline for Implementation Information page 50 Common Questions Regarding Records Retention page 51 CAAHEP 2013 Standards and Guidelines for

3 Accreditation of Educational page 52-71 Programs in Surgical Technology Please note: The ARC/STSA does not accept documentation that includes confidential personal identification information [ - Social Security numbers] or personal health information. Please delete or black out all confidential personal identification information or confidential personal health information on documentation prior to submission. Documentation submitted with confidential personal identification information or personal health information will be returned to the program without ARC/STSA review. ARC/STSA ST Standards Interpretive Guide 3 0816 Section I: Sponsorship Standard Sponsoring Educational Institution A sponsoring institution must be at least one of the following: 1.

4 A post-secondary academic institution accredited by an institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the Department of Education, and authorized under applicable law or other acceptable authority to provide a post-secondary program, which awards a minimum of a certificate/diploma at the completion of the program. 2. A foreign post-secondary academic institution acceptable to CAAHEP, which is authorized under applicable law or other acceptable authority to provide a postsecondary program, which awards a minimum of a certificate/diploma at the completion of the academic program. 3. A hospital or medical center that is institutionally accredited, and authorized under applicable law or other acceptable authority to provide healthcare, which awards a minimum of a certificate/diploma at the completion of the academic program.

5 4. A branch of the United States Armed Forces, which awards a minimum of a certificate/diploma at the completion of the program. Projected for August 1, 2021, all sponsoring institutions should award a minimum of an Associate s Degree at the completion of the program. The Department of Education does not accredit colleges, universities or other postsecondary institutions. Accreditation in the is a non-governmental, peer evaluation of the quality of educational institutions and programs. Private educational associ-ations (accrediting agencies) of regional or national scope have adopted criteria reflecting the qualities of a sound educational program and have developed procedures for evaluating institu-tions or programs to determine whether or not they are operating at basic levels of quality.

6 The Secretary of Education is re-quired by statute to publish a list that the Secretary determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. The sponsoring institution should provide evidence of institutional accreditation and state program approval (if indicated) as part of the supporting documentation submitted during the Self-Study process. An On-Site Evaluation (site visit) will not be conducted until institutional accreditation is obtained. CAAHEP will require that a program seeking CAAHEP accredita-tion demonstrate compliance with institution accreditation stand-ards/approval agency requirements in addition to compliance with CAAHEP Standards .

7 Effective August 1, 2013, all accredited programs should offer a certificate, diploma, or degree upon program completion. In addi-tion, it is projected that by August 1, 2021, all programs will be required to award a minimum of an Associate s Degree upon program completion. Commission on Technical and Career Institutions North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges and Universities Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accredit-ing Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accredit-ing Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities.

8 From: Regional and National Accrediting Agencies link National institutional accrediting organizations for schools that offer Surgical Technology programs include, but are not limited to: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleg-es (ACCSC) [formerly ACCSCT] Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Train-ing (ACCET) Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) Council on Occupational Education (COE) Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission (DETC) From: Regional and National Accrediting Agencies link: Other Agencies which approve institutions that offer Surgical tech-nology programs include, but are not limited to: The Joint Commission (hospital-based programs) Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (osteopathic hospital-based programs) Ambulatory Surgery Center Accreditation DNV Healthcare, Inc.

9 Healthcare Institutions otherwise authorized by CMS Military Branch NOTE: State Approval/Authorization may also be applicable in addition to institutional accreditation. EXAMPLE Standard Regional institutional accrediting organizations include: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Higher Education New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education New England Association of Schools and Colleges Interpretation of Standard ARC/STSA ST Standards Interpretive Guide 4 0816 Section I: Sponsorship Standard Consortium Sponsor 1. A consortium sponsor is an entity consisting of two or more members that exists for the purpose of operating an educational pro-gram.

10 In such instances, at least one of the members of the consortium must meet the requirements of a sponsoring educational institution as described in 2. The responsibilities of each member of the consortium must be clearly documented as a formal affiliation agreement or memoran-dum of understanding, which includes governance and lines of authority. Interpretation of Standard Consortium/consortia consist of two or more institutions (including educational institutions and hospital-based educational programs) which, through an affiliation agreement or memorandum of under-standing, join together to offer educational courses that lead to completion of a program of studies in Surgical Technology . Con-sortium members may offer general education and basic science courses, with only one institution offering the core Surgical tech-nology courses.