The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) announced today a joint agreement for enhancing training, safety, and policies and procedures in ultrasound examinations. In the joint announcement, Dr. Lennard Greenbaum, President of AIUM, said that its Clinical Standards Committee had completed an extensive review of the AACE course requirements for thyroid/parathyroid ultrasound certification and recertification, and determined that those endocrinologists successfully completing the AACE course will be recognized by AIUM as having demonstrated satisfactory training in thyroid/parathyroid ultrasound examinations.
AACE President, Dr. Steven M. Petak, said that AACE is pleased to have the course recognized by AIUM, a preeminent national ultrasound accreditation body, as having met the educational standards for quality and patient safety in the performance of ultrasound procedures. AIUM standards serve as a benchmark for professionals seeking to meet nationally accepted protocols in performing ultrasound examinations. Dr. Petak said, "Achieving recognition by AIUM for meeting these high educational standards in ultrasound is a tremendous accomplishment, and a clear demonstration of AACE's commitment to helping endocrinologists provide the highest quality care in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients with thyroid disorders."
Dr. Petak added that, since 1998, AACE has conducted a rigorous course curriculum in ultrasound for endocrinologists performing diagnostic evaluations for patients with thyroid and parathyroid disorders, which includes both diagnostic ultrasonography (US) and ultrasound guided fine needle aspirations (UGFNA). AACE offers this course in order to aid physicians in achieving the highest level of expertise, clinical skills, and capabilities in the performance of US and UGFNA for optimal patient care. Dr. Petak noted that AACE is also pleased to collaborate with AIUM in offering its members the opportunity to participate in the practice accreditation program, administered by AIUM, which would enable physician practices to participate in the volunteer peer review program to demonstrate competency in all aspects of their ultrasound operation, including education and training of physicians in sonography, ultrasound equipment maintenance, document storage, policies safeguarding the patients and personnel, and accuracy in diagnosis.
Dr. Greenbaum pointed out that the two societies' programs compliment each other. The AACE physician certification and recertification process will ensure that endocrinologists have access to ongoing training in the latest advances in thyroid ultrasound technology and procedures. Participation in the AIUM practice accreditation program will help physicians maintain the highest standards for performing these services in a practice setting. "The ultimate beneficiary of the agreement will be the patient through enhanced quality and safety in ultrasound procedures," Greenbaum said.
AACE is a national professional medical organization with over 5,500 members in the United States and 84 other countries. Founded in 1991, AACE is dedicated to the optimal care of patients with endocrine disorders. AACE initiatives inform the public about endocrine disorders. AACE also conducts continuing education programs for clinical endocrinologists, physicians whose advanced, specialized training enables them to be experts in the care of endocrine disease, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, growth hormone deficiency, osteoporosis, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity.
AIUM is a multidisciplinary association dedicated to advancing the safe and effective use of ultrasound in medicine through professional and public education, research, development of guidelines, and accreditation. AIUM's members include physicians and sonographers from varying specialties, scientists, and engineers. AIUM has established standards for the accreditation of ultrasound practices which serve as a benchmark for professionals seeking to meet nationally accepted protocols for performing ultrasound related examinations. Practices accredited by the AIUM have demonstrated competency in every aspect of their operation.