1. IFNA’s Approval Process for Anesthesia Programs
APAP

2. Goals of APAP
To encourage programs to comply with IFNA’s Educational Standards for Preparing Nurse Anesthetists through an approval process that takes cultural differences into consideration
To improve the health and welfare of humanity by promoting international educational standards

3. Philosophy Behind APAP

4. IFNA’s Belief
“If nurses are utilized for preoperative or postoperative preparation of the patient and if they perform venous and arterial cannulation, induction and emergence of anesthesia, intubation, and extubation, and if they are left alone for any reason, they should be appropriately educated.”

5. IFNA’s Belief
“If nurses are being utilized in such a manner…IFNA is concerned that their educational process is sufficient to support anesthesia practice and patient safety.”
Professional Study & Resource
Guide for the CRNA

6. Development of APAP

7. Interest in Quality Assurance for Anesthesia Education
1997: CQAIE speech in Vienna
1998: Education Committee proposed QA program for education & practice
2000: Discussed at Chicago World Congress
2001: Discussed at Officers meeting
2002: COA-USA presents to CNR in Helsinki
2005: Education Committee begins plan for international approval of programs

8. Procedure Used to Develop APAP
: First draft of application process developed by Education Committee with members from Switzerland, Africa, Taiwan, Sweden & USA
June 2008: Three programs completed the pilot project and were awarded “Recognition”
Sweden
The Netherlands
USA

9. Procedure to Develop APAP
Application process revised based on feedback from pilot project
Preliminary approval of draft documents by decision making bodies of IFNA
Call for public comments on IFNA website plus individual organizations invited to comment
Proposal revised based on comments received
Final approval by IFNA
Introduction of APAP at World Congress in 2010

10. Categories of Approval

11. Categories of Approval
APAP is designed to work with anesthesia programs as they currently exist if they pledge to meet IFNA’s Education Standards to the best of their ability.
Three categories of approval are available. Only one type will be awarded to a program at any given time.

12. Three Categories of Approval
Recognizes the
(1) diversity of nurse anesthesia programs throughout the world;
(2) the economic stage of development of a country;
(3) the resources available to individual programs;
(4) a commitment of diverse programs to a common standard of educational quality.

13. Categories of Approval
Programs can apply for one category of approval:
Registration
Recognition
Accreditation

14. IFNA Anesthesia Education Program Registration
Pledge to comply with Education Standards to best of its ability
Signature of program director and highest institutional official
Submit curriculum for posting on IFNA’s website

15. IFNA Anesthesia Education Program Recognition
Pledge to comply with Education Standards to best of its ability
Signature of program director and highest institutional official
Submit curriculum for audit to determine substantial compliance with Education Standards

16. IFNA Anesthesia Education Program Accreditation
Pledge to comply with Education Standards
Submit a self study
Host an on-site visit by IFNA representatives
Review by Education Committee
Agreement or remand by Board of Officers & CNR

17. Eligibility for Approval (All 3 Categories)
Programs in IFNA member or non-member countries
Students are non-physicians
Require education in nursing or another scientific background (Registration & Recognition)
Require education in nursing (Accreditation)

18. Eligibility for Approval (All 3 Categories)
Evidence from government that program has current official status* in the country, if available
Evidence that the program has not been denied approval by a governmental or nongovernmental accreditation or quality assurance entity
*Authorized, recognized, chartered, audited or accredited

19. Decision Process
Agree or send it back
To Education Committee

20. Types of Decisions Registration Recognition Accreditation Denial
Withdrawal
Warning
Revocation

21. Certificate of Approval
Awarded to approved programs in every category
Signed by IFNA President & Education Committee Chair

22. Renewal – 5 year intervals
Program requirements
Update application or self study to meet new requirements & changes in program
Complete faculty & student evaluations in categories of Recognition and Accreditation
New self study & site visit may be requested if problems with meeting Standards

23. Fees
Registration or Recognition: No fee

24. Fees Accreditation: Program pays 1500 Swiss Francs at application
Costs of site visit
1 day to review self study
2 days on site
2 days travel
1 day to write report

25. APAP Outcome
Encourage programs to comply with IFNA’s Educational Standards for Preparing Nurse Anesthetists through an approval process that considers cultural, national, or regional differences.
Collegial process to improve education programs

26. Summary
APAP can encourage globalization of education for nurse anesthetists
Global education standards are important

27. Thank you!