How is a complaint about a program or the COA brought to the attention of the COA?

Procedures are outlined for lodging a complaint against nurse anesthesia programs and against the COA in the Accreditation Policies and Procedures manual. The procedures are consistent with the accreditation agency recognition requirements of both the U.S. Department of Education  and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Some important aspects of these procedures are outlined below. […]

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Does the COA receive complaints or concerns and what is the nature of the complaints?

On average the COA receives one to two formal complaints against nurse anesthesia programs per year. The procedure the COA follows in reviewing complaints is identified in the Accreditation Policies and Procedures Manual (refer Complaints Against Nurse Anesthesia Programs, pgs. C-15 – C-19). The procedures are consistent with the United States Department of Education’s (USDE) […]

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What Are the COA’s Requirements for Scholarly Work Oversight?​

While CRNA and non-CRNA faculty involvement in the scholarly work development process may vary depending on the institution, college/school or program, or project scope, faculty with a CRNA credential must be involved in the process of planning, formation and evaluation of each scholarly project. Evaluation of scholarly work may include a combination of methods including […]

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How do students “teach others?”

Students can demonstrate compliance with the competencies expressed in Standard III, Criterion C21e4 and Practice Doctorate Standard D.30 by completing class presentations (face-to-face, virtual), making presentations to staff in the clinical setting (such as grand rounds type presentations), podium and poster presentations at local, state, national meetings, patient education (including preoperative interviews), and other methods. […]

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What role should accreditation Standards play in regulating the CRNA workforce?

None.  The COA does not and cannot consider workforce (i.e., supply and demand for CRNAs) in its accreditation decision-making process. COA activities in this regard would be inconsistent with U.S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognition requirements. It would also have antitrust implications. Instead, the COA requires programs to demonstrate substantial compliance […]

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