Welcome to the February edition of AOE Compliance Connection, AOE’s monthly newsletter. This month’s newsletter includes helpful information and resources surrounding the newly released Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, and a sneak peek at three AOE Program Managers’ upcoming presentations at the annual meeting of the Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education (SACME). You’ll also find upcoming event information and helpful reminders and guidelines for the annual reporting requirements for each of the three major boards. As we step into the new year, be sure to reach out to us at inquire@aoeconsulting.com for any of your compliance questions or needs!
CE in the Community: New Standards
The Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, released in December of 2020, are designed to replace the Standards for Commercial Support: Standards to Ensure Independence in CME Activities. The Standards span multiple health professions and have been adopted by the ACCME, ACPE, AAFP, ANCC, ARBO/COPE, and Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education™. ACCME accredited providers are expected to comply with the Standards by January 1, 2022, and to this end, the ACCME has created a Resource Page for providers looking to learn about and adopt the new Standards.
The Resource Page includes an introductory video, webinar resources, a starter pack, toolkit, and FAQs.
- Introductory Video: The best first step for those new to the Standards is the introductory video, Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. At less than four minutes long, this resource is a great first step for those new to the new Standards.
- Webinar: The January 11 webinar, Implementing the New Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education is available for viewing. The slide deck PDF is also available for download here.
- Getting Started Info Package: Providers can download a PDF that includes an introduction to the Standards, a transition timeline, an overview of the Standards along with a full text version.
- Toolkit: The most comprehensive of the resources, the toolkit includes sample forms, templates, checklists, and other resources.
- FAQs: A bank of frequently asked questions specifically centered on the new Standards is now available, as well.
AOE in Action: Presenting at SACME
Three AOE team members have been selected to deliver two presentations at the Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education (SACME) Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting is virtual and will take place February 24-26, 2021. Here is a synopsis of what SACME attendees can expect to hear from AOE next week:
Renea Marin and Bonnie Doman: Leveraging Technology
In the Education Technology Innovation category, AOE Project Coordinator Bonnie Doman and Program Manager Renea Marin will present Leveraging Technology: 5 Steps for Effectively Selecting and Implementing New Platforms. Their session will address the new era of technology dependence ushered in by the COVID-19 crisis and common challenges faced by providers. Doman and Marin will equip providers with strategies for initial assessment of technology solutions, as well as critical steps for implementing the technology efficiently and sustainably, effectively evolving and bolstering the accredited CE Provider Unit. As part of the presentation, Doman and Marin have compiled a concise, step-by-step research and implementation guide based on AOE’s recent work of helping accredited organizations transition to virtual CE/CPD activities. Additionally, they will propose strategies for overcoming common challenges and pitfalls of implementing and updating technology, such as assessing platforms based on specific budget requirements and organizational needs.
Sarah Porter and Charles R. Drew University (CDU): Healthcare in Under-resourced Communities
In the category of Best Practice and Innovation, AOE Program Manager Sarah Porter will present Using CME and Implementation Science to Build an Academic Healthcare System in an Under-resourced Community in conjunction with three faculty members from Charles R. Drew University (CDU): Ronald Edelstein, Ed.D., Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Ellen Rothman, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Assistant Professor, and Tasha Dixon, MD, MPH, clinical Assistant Professor. This session will highlight the successes and challenges of using CME and implementation science to build an academic healthcare system in an under-resourced community through focused attention on key healthcare metrics. Specifically, they will present insight gained from a case example of a health science university in South Los Angeles that established a partnership with a safety net institution directly across the street with the shared goal of improving patient care and cultivating a clinical learning environment for a family medicine residency and medical education programs.
Accreditation Board Bulletin
Part of the AOE’s commitment to the accredited CE enterprise is to provide readers with weekly compliance tips and monthly CE community news for ACCME, ANCC and ACPE.
ACCME
Coming Up Next
Save the date for the ACCME 2021 Meeting: It will be held virtually April 27-29, 2021. Registration is scheduled to open later this month. This year’s new addition to the meeting: An optional longitudinal learning component during the weeks prior to the meeting.
Annual Reporting
The ACCME’s deadline for 2020 year-end reporting is March 31, 2021. As in previous years, data gathered between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 should be entered into the ACCME’s Program and Activity Reporting System (PARS). State-accredited providers should check with their specific accreditor for reporting requirements and deadlines.
A full tutorial for annual reporting can be found here.
ANCC
Annual Reporting Requirements
Annual reporting is completed via the ANCC Nursing Activity and Reporting System (NARS) and will be due April 1, 2021. To access ANCC Annual Reporting Requirements, click here (ANCC notes that there are no major changes from last year’s requirements). Additionally, an FAQ page that includes NARS topics can be found here.
All ANCC Accredited Providers are required to submit an annual report to the ANCC inclusive of activity data from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Submission of the annual report is conducted entirely via the Nursing Activity Reporting System (NARS). The ANCC provides a number of resources, tips and FAQs available to help organizations prepare for this milestone.
ACPE
Coming Up Next
Registration is now open for the upcoming virtual CPE Administrator Workshop on March 3-4, 2021. The workshop will cover the ACPE accreditation process, including training and group activities focused on the ACPE Standards for Continuing Pharmacy Education and Policies and Procedures Manual. Additionally, the workshop will create networking opportunities through tools like breakout sessions, chat functions, and polling. Register here, and direct all questions to ceinfo@acpe-accredit.org.
Upcoming Activities/Education Opportunities
- SACME Annual Meeting
February 24-26, 2021, Virtual Live
Read More >> - Virtual CPE Administrator Workshop
March 3-4, 2021, Virtual Live
Read More >> - ACCME 2021 Meeting: Virtual
April 27-29, 2021, Online
Read More >> - Alliance Experience: Alliance Connect
July 13-16, 2021, Live in Orlando, FL
January – July, Virtual Learning Labs
Read More >>