Accreditation norms for diagnostic centres

So far,there are accreditation standards for hospitals and labs while diagnostic and imaging centres form a small part of the hospital accreditation standards. Diagnostic and imaging centres are fast mushrooming as standalone centres,especially in cities like Mumbai.

The new guidelines seek to ensure safety for both patients and for those working in diagnostic centres,especially standalone clinics offering services like nuclear medicine,X-ray,MRI,CT scan and ultrasounds. “There will be surprise visits to ensure that quality norms are adhered to and hazardous substances are handled and disposed with appropriate care,” said Dr Girdhar Gyani,secretary general,QCI.

The guidelines include basic infrastructural requirements like nine-inch thick wall or proper LED lining in a centre dealing with radioactive rays. “Many centres just put up black curtains,thinking it can protect their staffers from the rays. Also,few centres have qualified technicians who know appropriate doses of these harmful rays that a patient should be exposed to,” said Dr Poonam Narang,professor of radiology.

“Not many of these centres have appropriate safety measures to ensure that harmful rays like gamma,high-frequency sound waves,magnetic fields,do not escape into the environment,” added Dr Kishor Taori,president,Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA).

However,it is not mandatory for centres to go for accreditation. “As of now,it is not compulsory. But,with talks of medical insurance providers allowing only accredited centers in their panel,imaging centres will automatically have to seek accreditation,” said Dr Gyani.

Those centres willing to get accredited will have to spend anything between Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 depending upon the modality and variety of facilities available.