FACT Operationalizing and Supporting Accreditation of Community IEC Programs
By Kara Wacker, MBA, Strategic Planning Administrator
FACT continues its commitment to increasing patient access to potentially life-saving cellular therapies. An important effort toward this imperative is making FACT accreditation more accessible to community-based providers, and significant progress has been made.
Following publication of the first edition FACT Standards for Immune Effector Cells in the Community Clinical Setting, FACT has operationalized the accompanying accreditation program. The online Compliance Application has been implemented in the online accreditation portal, and trained inspectors for this accreditation program have been selected. In the coming weeks, we will be publishing the Community IEC Accreditation Manual, which is a guide that explains the intent of the Standards, describes evidence requested by FACT, and provides examples of compliance.
FACT is also providing support to programs that have applied for accreditation under the Community IEC Standards. Four community-based cellular therapy programs have applied to be the inaugural cohort of providers accredited under these Standards, with several others initiating dialogue and expressing interest.
“We are thrilled with the reception of our new Community IEC Standards and accompanying accreditation program,” says Suzanne Birnley, FACT Director of Operations. “We have heard nothing but positive feedback about the fit-for-purpose nature of the Standards.”
As community-based programs pursue accreditation, FACT continues to collaborate with multiple stakeholders to continue discussions and dialogue related to improving patient access to cellular therapies. We welcome continued feedback on the Community IEC Standards and will update them as necessary to maintain their tailored purpose.
