FACT Inspections Amid the Pandemic
FACT is eagerly anticipating resumption of accreditation activities. In March 2020, FACT suspended on-site inspections and extended all accreditation deadlines and expiration dates by six months due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. During this time, FACT staff have continued to review submitted applications and responses, prepared and presented educational webinars, and facilitated the vital committee work in standards development, accreditation, quality, clinical outcomes, data audits, education, immune effector cell initiatives, and international accreditation support.
Although the pandemic is not over, some travel has resumed, and some institutions are opening elective procedures and in-person visits. A FACT Task Force will determine the best approach to resumption of on-site inspections. Options include virtual inspections, in-person inspections associated with limited travel, or a combination of methodologies. Factors to be assessed include inspector availability, inspector ability to travel, openness of institutions to non-essential individuals, and characteristics of the applicant program such as prior accreditation and the time remaining until accreditation expiration. Inspector availability and on-site options are being assessed through a survey distributed to inspectors and Program Directors. FACT will publish periodic updates related to inspections through the Newsletter and email communications.
