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Anesthesia Program (School) Approval Process APAP

APAP Operational Policies

APAP Operational Policies and Procedures (PDF File)

It is proposed that programs admitting nurses, non-nurses and both types of students would be eligible for approval. This recognizes the differences that currently exist among students enrolled in anesthesia programs in various countries. The ultimate goal of offering an approval process for all types of anesthesia programs is to improve anesthesia patient care by encouraging programs to use IFNA’s Educational Standards irrespective of available local resources.

Eligibility for Approval

The proposed eligibility criteria are:

      • All non-physician anesthesia programs would be eligible for any 1 of the 3 categories of approval. This would include programs that require applicants to be nurses as stated in IFNA’s Educational Standards or to have scientific backgrounds that prepare students to be successful in developing the competencies needed to become anesthesia professionals.
      • For the purpose of program approval, admission requirements would need to include an education in nursing or another scientific background that prepares a student to succeed in the anesthesia education program.
      • Anesthesia programs from countries that are not members of IFNA as well as those from IFNA member countries would be eligible to apply for approval.

If a program is interested in applying for  Recognition or  Accreditation an eligibility application has to be submitted

 

Eligibility Application Recognition

Eligibility Application Accreditation

Categories

The IFNA Approval Process for Anesthesia Programs (APAP) proposes to offer 3 categories of approval and renewal. The different proposed categories of approval are:

  1. Registration . IFNA  “Registration”would require the submission of an Application Registration  pledging by the anesthesia program to meet the IFNA Educational Standards to the best of its ability. The program’s curriculum would be posted on IFNA’s website with a statement that IFNA had not approved the curriculum but it was being posted for information only. The website would note that the program had committed to meeting the IFNA Educational Standards to the best of its ability. Registration has to be renewed every five years.
  2. Recognition . IFNA  “Recognition”would require the submission of an Application Recognition  pledging by the anesthesia program to meet the IFNA Educational Standards to the best of its ability. The program would also be required to submit its curriculum and related material for review by the IFNA Education Committee. The information would be audited to determine if it met the IFNA Educational Standards. Following the auditing process, the program’s curriculum would be posted on IFNA’s website with a statement that IFNA had reviewed the curriculum and determined it substantially met IFNA’s Educational Standards. The website would note that the program had substantially met the IFNA Educational Standards as determined by an audit of written program materials. Renewal of recognition is due every five years. An Renewal Application Recognition  and other related material has to be submitted.
  3. Accreditation . IFNA  “Accreditation” offers 2 pathways:
    1.  IFNA  Accreditation requiring the submission of a pledge by the anesthesia program to meet the IFNA Educational Standards. The program would also be required to submit its curriculum and related material in a written  Application (Self-study) Accreditation for review by the IFNA Education Committee. The information would also be evaluated by an on-site team of visitors to determine if it met the IFNA Educational Standards. Following the accreditation process, the program’s curriculum would be posted on IFNA’s website with a statement that IFNA had reviewed the curriculum, reviewed a self – study, conducted an on-site visit to the program and determined the program substantially met the IFNA Educational Standards. The website would note that the program had substantially met the IFNA Educational Standards as determined by a full review of the program including a written self -study and on-site review. Renewal for Accreditation is due every five years. A  Renewal Application Accreditation  and other related material has to be submitted.
    2. The second option is Deemed Accreditation Programs approved through this pathway must verify that the program has met its official governmental or non-governmental standards for nurse anesthesia education. The program also has to prove that those standards are equivalent or exceed IFNA’s Education Standards. A nurse anesthesia program with Deemed Accreditation status will have all the privileges of an accredited program.
      1. Application Deemed Accreditation
      2. Renewal Application Accreditation

Fees

The proposed fees for approval are:

      • No fees would be charged for the categories of Registration and Recognition.
      • Programs applying for Accreditation would pay the expenses associated with the site visit and a small administrative fee.

Comments on the proposed approval process can be submitted to Mrs. Madsen APAP  Manager: apap@ifna.site.