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) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s (CHEA) recognition requirements for accrediting agencies. The nature of the complaints most frequently relates to student dismissals.