Impact of the Credentials and Continuing Education of Personnel in the Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory on Its...

Two important factors that have not been systematically evaluated in the delivery of quality imaging services, especially in relation to accreditation, are the specific credentials and continuing medical education/continuing education (CME/CE) of the medical and technical personnel of the nuclear cardiology laboratory. Methods: Facilities performing myocardial perfusion imaging were characterized by setting, size, previous accreditation, and credentials of medical and technical personnel, using data that had been supplied to the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission when these facilities applied for nuclear cardiology accreditation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare credentials and CME/CE against the initial accreditation decision (grant or delay). Results: Complete data were available for 1,913 nuclear cardiology laboratories from 2011 to 2014. Laboratories that were granted accreditation had a greater prevalence of Certification Board in Nuclear Cardiology (CBNC)-certified medical directors and specialty-credentialed technical directors. The certification and credentialing of the medical and technical directors, respectively; the CME/CE compliance of the personnel; and the assistance of a consultant with the application were positively associated with the granting of accreditation. Conclusion: A decision to delay accreditation was less likely if the nuclear cardiology laboratory was directed by a CBNC-certified physician and its technologists were credentialed in nuclear cardiology technology or PET. The CME/CE compliance of both the medical and the technical directors was associated with a decision to grant accreditation. The number of years of experience of the medical and technical directors was not associated with a decision to grant accreditation.