Accreditation FAQs

For additional questions or assistance, please contact the accreditation team at accreditation@aasm.org or call (630) 737-9700.

What resources are helpful to review prior to pursuing Accreditation?

The following resources are valuable to review in preparing for Accreditation:

  • New Era of Accreditation Webpage
  • 2025 Standards for Accreditation
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Accreditation Fees
  • Fact Sheets
  • Products for purchase such as the Accreditation Reference Manual including sample policies and forms, and the Roadmap to Accreditation.

Does the AASM have example policies and procedures that my program can utilize? 

Yes, the AASM Accreditation Reference Manual is available in either a digital or physical copy found on the Online Store. This easy-to-use guide provides concrete examples of policies, procedures, forms and documents required per Accreditation Standards. These samples are provided to assist in customizing your policies and procedures according to the specific needs of your sleep program. Tabbed sections enable you to quickly access the information needed. 

What sleep services does AASM provide accreditation for?

  • An “In-Lab Sleep Testing” service refers to the location where diagnostic testing using in-lab sleep tests is performed. In-lab sleep testing service locations must be associated with a Sleep Clinic and an HSAT service location. In-lab sleep testing service locations that only provide service to pediatric populations (birth to 18 years of age) are excluded from needing an associated HSAT service.
  • A “HSAT” service refers to the location where diagnostic testing using HSATs is provided. HSAT services must be associated with a Sleep Clinic.
  • A “DME Supplier” service refers to the location where positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy and PAP equipment are supplied to patients. A DME Supplier must be associated with a Sleep Clinic. 
  • A “Sleep Clinic” service refers to the location where patient evaluation and management occur. A Sleep Clinic manages patients for a wide range of sleep disorders. A Sleep Clinic is the only accreditation service that can receive accreditation without having another accreditation service as a part of the Accreditation Network. 
  • A “Non-Sleep Clinic” service refers to the location where patients are screened for sleep apnea, but the primary practice of the clinic is not sleep medicine (e.g., cardiology clinic). A Non-Sleep Clinic must be associated with an HSAT service location to perform HSAT and an accredited lab, which can provide patients with in-lab sleep testing and treatment and management of sleep disorders. 

How long does it take to receive accreditation from the time my application is submitted? Is there a way to speed up review time?

The approval of an accreditation application typically takes an average of 3 to 4 months from submission to the AASM Accreditation Committee’s decision. 

The AASM offers an expedited application option for an additional $500 fee. The expedited review of the application reduces the approval time to an average of 1-2 months.

What are the costs associated with Accreditation?

Accreditation costs and volume discounts can be found on the Accreditation Pricing webpage: https://aasm.org/accreditation/resources/accreditation-fees/

How long is the accreditation term?

The accreditation term is granted for five years, unless prorated to align with the network’s expiration date.

Our program has been operational for less than 6 months. Can I pursue accreditation?

Yes, entities that have been operational less than 6 months or have not yet opened, must complete a new accreditation application. This application will initially omit patient volume, study statistics, and quality assurance information; however, this information will be requested within 6 months of accreditation approval.  

My accreditation is expiring this year. What steps must I take to maintain accreditation?

You must submit a reaccreditation application to maintain accreditation. To begin the process, access the Apply or Renew webpage. Reaccreditation applications are accessible 10 months prior to the expiration date and are due 6 months prior to the expiration date. Applications can be submitted after the due date; however, a late fee will apply. If a reaccreditation application is not submitted by the expiration date, the accreditation will lapse.  

If you do not have an account or access to the reaccreditation application, please e-mail the Accreditation Department at Accreditation@aasm.org or call (630) 737-9700. 

My accreditation has lapsed, what is required to become accredited again?

To become accredited, the program will need to submit a new accreditation application. To do this, access the Apply or Renew webpage, log-in to your AASM account, navigate to the “My Network” tab, click on “Manage Accreditation or Accreditation Portal,” and select “Apply for New Accreditation” at the bottom of the page.

How do I access the information from my last application?

When logged in to your AASM account, navigate to the “My Network” tab on the left-hand side of the page and select “Manage Accreditation.” At the bottom of this page, click on the “Manage Applications” link. Previously uploaded information will be available under the section “Closed Applications” via “Open” or “View.”

What is Maintenance of Accreditation?

Maintenance of Accreditation is a valuable benefit of Network Membership, ensuring that you stay updated with current accreditation standards while keeping your policies, procedures, and staff documentation compliant. By actively engaging in the maintenance process, you will be continuously working toward your next reaccreditation, making future reaccreditation smoother and more efficient.

When do I receive the accreditation certificate?

Services not requiring a site visit will receive their certificate upon approval. 

Services requiring a site visit will receive their certificate after the site visit is completed and any recommended provisos are addressed. The site visit is conducted within 12 months from the date of approval.

How do I order accreditation certificates?

If you currently hold an accreditation status, you may order additional accreditation certificates from the Online Store. Programs may not be eligible to purchase a certificate if they are currently in an accreditation process. For any questions, contact the Accreditation Department at (630) 737-9700 or Accreditation@aasm.org. 

My service location is undergoing changes (e.g., ownership, name, adding/reducing bed capacity, or adding pediatric services). Am I required to contact AASM?

Yes, services undergoing one or more changes must submit a Special Considerations application within one month of the change. To report these changes, an online application must be submitted with the requested information outlined on the Program Changes webpage.

What staff changes do I need to report for Accreditation purposes?

The AASM requires the network to report changes to the following positions:

  • Network Director
  • Site Director
  • Network Primary Contact

To report these changes, you must submit an online application with the required information detailed on the Program Changes webpage. 

Changes to all other professional or technical staff should be updated during the reaccreditation process. Please ensure that new staff members meet the qualifications outlined in the “Network” section of the AASM Standards for Accreditation. 

What is required to submit if our service location is relocating?

Accredited services (e.g., Lab, HSAT, Clinic, DME) relocating are required to submit a Special Considerations Application within 90 days of relocation. To open the relocation application, follow the instructions included on the Program Changes webpage and submit the applicable information.  

In-lab testing services that relocate within 18 months of the accreditation expiration date may pursue an early reaccreditation application.

Please reference Page 17 of the AASM Accreditation Process and Policies for further information on the relocation process. Approval of a relocation application ensures the continuation of your accreditation term at your new location.

My service (Lab, HSAT, Clinic, DME) is relocating and changing ownership. How do we proceed?

If a service relocates and undergoes a change in ownership, it is considered a new service. The new service must apply for accreditation as a new entity. For more information, refer to Page 17 of the AASM Accreditation Process and Policies. 

Can I retain my accreditation if my sleep lab has closed, but we continue to provide HSAT and clinic services?

Yes, the sleep program must notify the AASM of the closure of their sleep lab via a Special Considerations application. Once the application is approved, the network will continue to be accredited for their HSAT and clinic services.

How do I enroll or join an Accreditation Network?

To establish your Accreditation Network, simply login to your AASM profile, then access the “My Network” tab, proceed to “Manage Accreditation,” and click on Manage Accreditation or Accreditation Portal. A request will appear when applying for accreditation directing you to either create your Accreditation Network or assign the accredited program (individually or in bulk) to an established Accreditation Network. 

Multiple Accreditation Networks can be established under the My Network page; however, a service location can only be tied to one Accreditation Network. 

The “My Network” webpage gives an overview of all accreditation programs that are assigned or not assigned to an Accreditation Network. To create an Accreditation Network or assign any “unassigned” accredited programs to your Accreditation Network, simply access the “unassigned” programs application.

How does my Accreditation Network term get adjusted?

The shared network accreditation expiration date is based on the first service to pursue accreditation or reaccreditation within the Accreditation Network. New and reaccrediting services joining an existing network will receive a prorated accreditation term to align with the shared expiration date at the time of application submission. Here’s how it works:

  • If a new service location applies for accreditation under a network that has an accreditation expiration date two (2) or less years away, then the newly accredited service will initially receive a lengthened term by adding the two (2) years or less to their five-year accreditation term (equaling a seven (7) or less year accreditation term).
  • If a new service location applies for accreditation under a network that has an accreditation expiration date term more than two (2) years away, then the newly accredited service will initially receive a shortened term (anywhere between two (2) to five (5) years) to align with the shared network accreditation expiration date. A reaccreditation application will be required at the time the accreditation network applies for their reaccreditation. 

Once all service expiration dates are aligned in the network, only new services will have their accreditation term prorated.

My Accreditation Network consists of different staff members, but all my service locations share the same policies, procedures, and ownership. Would this qualify as an Accreditation Network?

Yes, staff can vary between service locations and are not expected to work at all locations. An Accreditation Network groups services that:

  • Have a single network director
  • Have a single billing contact that can facilitate getting the bill paid on behalf of the sites in the network.
  • Operate under the same policies and procedures

The current Accreditation Network I am in is incorrect. How do I switch to a new Accreditation Network?

To switch to a new Accreditation Network, please contact your Accreditation Coordinator for your region to facilitate this process. Accreditation Coordinators can be reached via phone at (630) 737-9700 or via e-mail to Accreditation@aasm.org.

How do I add a service to my existing Network?

To add a new service to your existing Network, login to your AASM profile, then access the “My Network” tab, proceed to “Manage Accreditation,” and click on “Manage Accreditation” or “Accreditation Portal”. An option to add a new service is under the Network under “Request a Change to my Network” link and select “Network”. 

How do I change the name of my Accreditation Network?

To change the name of your Accreditation Network, please contact your Accreditation Coordinator for your region to facilitate this process. Accreditation Coordinators can be reached via phone at (630) 737-9700 or via e-mail to Accreditation@aasm.org.

How do I change the Network Primary Contact or Network Billing Contact of my Accreditation Network?

To change the Network Primary Contact or Network Billing Contact, please contact your Accreditation Coordinator for your region to facilitate this process. Accreditation Coordinators can be reached via phone at (630) 737-9700 or via e-mail to Accreditation@aasm.org.

Who do I contact to pay for Network Membership?

To pay for Network Membership, please contact the Membership Department at (630) 737-9700 or via e-mail to Membership@aasm.org.

Who requires a background check?

Per Standard N-15, all services within the network must comply with any background check requirements mandated by federal, state, or local laws. In the absence of such requirements, the network must conduct criminal background checks for all new employees. Information obtained through this process should only be used to the extent that it is relevant to the individual’s job duties.

Our lab only tests patients but a board-certified sleep specialist interprets the sleep studies. Patient follow up is only provided by their primary care doctors, not the board-certified sleep specialist. Can my lab be accredited?

To meet the AASM Standards for Accreditation, a lab must have a relationship with a sleep clinic to provide an adequate range of patient management for a portion of the patients tested (see Standard C-1: Patient Management).

The AASM does not accredit sleep labs that provide only testing without offering patient management through clinical services. 

I see patients at my private practice not related to the accredited sleep service. Do they count in the patient volume form?

If a physician’s private practice is not associated with the sleep program (i.e. not serving as the sleep clinic), these patients would not be included in the patient volume form included in the application. Further information on the patient volume form can be found on this fact sheet.  To address specific circumstances, please e-mail the Accreditation Department at Accreditation@aasm.org or call (630) 737-9700.

My Network is composed of multiple clinic service locations. One of the physician’s clinics operates only one day a week. Does this location need to apply for accreditation?

To ensure high-quality patient care, a network must demonstrate effective patient management for those undergoing HSAT, in-lab sleep testing, or both. At least one clinic must pursue accreditation when diagnostic testing is involved. However, if multiple clinics are associated with the diagnostic service, the network can decide whether to seek accreditation for these additional clinics. It’s important to note that these additional clinics will not be accredited and, therefore, will not appear in the public accreditation directory.

Who can interpret a sleep study?

The Standards require an individual board-certified in sleep medicine (as defined in Standards N-1 and Standard N-3) must either perform the sleep study interpretation or review the sleep study interpretation if the interpretation is made by a non-board-certified individual.

Can a sleep technologist interpret sleep studies?

No, a technologist is not trained or licensed to provide an interpretation. The interpretation must be completed by a licensed medical staff member and reviewed by an individual board-certified in sleep medicine if the medical staff member is not board-certified in sleep medicine.

What must the interpretation include?

Sleep study interpretation includes reviewing the raw data from a sleep study and explaining what the data shows.

Is a signature required from a board-certified sleep medicine physician when reviewing a non-board-certified physician’s interpretation?

Evidence of the review is required. This is typically provided by a signature on the interpretative report or a digital signature within the patient’s electronic medical record.

Who can diagnose a patient?

The Standards specify that only a licensed medical provider is authorized to diagnose a medical condition.

What must the diagnosis include?

Diagnosis includes attributing the sleep study interpretation, along with the patient’s signs and symptoms, attributing them to an underlying sleep disorder.

My program comprises of a sleep clinic that provides home sleep apnea testing. Can I become accredited?

Yes, programs that are only comprised of a sleep clinic and home sleep apnea testing can pursue accreditation. The application process will require the program to submit information as outlined in the Network, Site, Clinic, and HSAT sections of the 2025 Standards for Accreditation.

Our sleep clinic and sleep lab are in separate locations. Can we still get accredited?

Yes, the Standards for Accreditation allow the sleep lab and clinic to be in separate physical locations and collectively work towards meeting the applicable Standards.

Can my sleep clinic utilize telemedicine in addition to in-person consultation to manage patients?

Yes, sleep clinics may use telemedicine tools in the provision of sleep medicine services to expand access to care for patients.

My Network is composed of multiple clinic service locations. One of the physician’s clinics operates only one day a week. Does this location need to apply for accreditation?

To ensure high-quality patient care, a network must demonstrate effective patient management for those undergoing HSAT, in-lab sleep testing, or both. At least one clinic must pursue accreditation and establish a service relationship when diagnostic testing is involved. 

For additional clinics associated with the diagnostic service, the network may choose whether to seek accreditation for them. However, clinics that do not pursue accreditation will not be accredited and will not appear in the public accreditation directory. 

What is a direct referral?

The AASM defines a direct referral as a patient who is tested by a diagnostic service (e.g., sleep lab) but does not receive follow-up care from professional staff through the associated clinic. For example, if a patient is tested at your sleep lab and then returns to their primary physician (unaffiliated with your sleep program) for follow-up and treatment, that patient is considered a direct referral. 

What is the current direct referral percentage?

The Standards for Accreditation do not specify a specific percentage for direct referrals. However, the sleep program must comply with Standard C-1: Patient Management, which requires:

  • Ongoing evaluation, management and follow-up patients.
  • Demonstrating the management of an adequate range of sleep disorders.

A high percentage of direct referrals may make it challenging to demonstrate compliance with patient management requirements. Consequently, a practice model with 100% direct referrals does not meet the standard of care outlined in Standard C-1: Patient Management.

Who can review a direct referral?

Per Standard N-19, a medical staff member (defined in Standard N-6), an appropriately trained technical staff member (defined in Standards N-9 & N-11), or an administrative support staff member (defined in Standard N-12) must review the information provided for each direct referral.

How big should our testing bedrooms be?

The AASM Standards do not specify a dimension requirement for sleep testing bedrooms. However, each room must be single occupancy, private and comfortable, have hard floor-to-ceiling walls, and a privacy door that opens directly to a corridor or common use area. Patient testing bedrooms must not have any impediments to the delivery of emergency care. The patient testing rooms must be of sufficient size to accommodate emergency personnel access with a minimum of 24 inches of available clear space on three sides of the bed, which must be at least a standard hospital bed.

For additional physical space requirements, please reference Standards L-5 through L-10. 

Can our sleep lab use murphy beds?

Yes, as long as the bed is at least a standard hospital bed size and has 24 inches of space on three sides of the bed.

Does our sleep lab bedrooms and bathrooms need to be ADA compliant?

Minimally, at least one testing bedroom and bathroom must be handicap accessible as defined by local building regulations and the most recent Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

How many bathroom(s) are required to be in our sleep lab?

Labs must have bathrooms with a minimum ratio of one bathroom for every three testing rooms.

Do all testing bedrooms need to be equipped with blackout curtains?

Reducing light exposure may allow the patient a better night of sleep and result in a more successful study. Blackout curtains are recommended for bedrooms in which daytime studies are conducted to reduce ambient light.

My location does not have an AED but has an emergency response team. Is this suitable?

Yes, each location must have appropriate equipment to address possible emergencies. At a minimum, a location must have immediate access to either an automated external defibrillator (AED) or access to an on-site medical emergency response team.

Where should my AED be kept?

An AED is recommended to be kept within the location’s physical premises to provide immediate care to a patient when needed. The AED is best located in an area that is visible and easily accessible.

Our sleep program does not conduct home sleep apnea testing. Do we need to maintain policies, procedures, and equipment?

Yes, the AASM Standards for Accreditation require that your sleep program have the capability to conduct home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) for patients aged 18 and older. This includes:

  • Developing HSAT policies and procedures.
  • Having access to an HSAT device.
  • Being able to conduct HSAT when needed.

Your sleep program can fulfill these requirements by renting HSAT equipment or arranging access to a device through a separate entity.

Additionally, your program may choose to subcontract HSAT. For more details, refer to Standard H-8 – Subcontracting HSAT.

Our sleep program only tests pediatric patients. Are we required to provide home sleep apnea testing?

According to the AASM Practice Parameters, only patients 18 years or older should be tested using HSAT. In-lab sleep testing service locations that only provide service to pediatric populations (birth to 18 years of age) are excluded from needing an associated HSAT service.

My network includes multiple HSAT service locations. Some have a technologist present to instruct patients on the devices, while others serve solely as pick-up and drop-off sites for HSAT devices. Do all my HSAT service locations need to be accredited?

To ensure high-quality patient care, a network conducting in-lab testing must have at least one HSAT service location. The need for additional accredited HSAT service locations will depend on the level of HSAT services provided. For instance, a comprehensive HSAT service where HSAT staff are present to provide patient instruction on the use, operations, and application of sensors should pursue accreditation. However, a strict “pick up and drop off” location may choose not to pursue accreditation. A “pick up and drop off” location is defined as a designated site where patients can collect and return HSAT devices only. HSAT staff are either not on-site to provide patient instruction or, if on-site, do not interact with patients to provide instruction.

It is important to note that due to the limited operations at a “pick up and drop off” location, the network may opt not to pursue accreditation for this location. However, these “pick up and drop off” locations will not be accredited and, therefore, will not appear in the public accreditation directory.

What are the requirements for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Accreditation?

DME Supplier accreditation requires an association with a sleep clinic. The application process will require the applicant to submit information as outlined in the Network, Site, Clinic, and DME sections of the 2025 Standards for Accreditation.

Is AASM Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Supplier accreditation Medicare approved?

The AASM offers DME Supplier accreditation, but it is not approved by Medicare.

My sleep program no longer has a Network Director or Site Director. What are my next steps?

To remain in compliance with Standard N-1 Network Director and Standard N-3 Site Director, the sleep program must immediately assign an interim or permanent individual that is board-certified in sleep medicine. Sleep programs without an individual board-certified in sleep medicine should consider how patients, interpretations, and diagnosing will be managed. If there is not an interim Director available, the program may need to suspend their accreditation as outlined in the Accreditation Process and Policies.

Please inform your Accreditation Coordinator if you are not currently compliant with this Standard(s).

An advanced practice provider (NP, PA, APRN) was recently hired within the past year. Is the advanced practice provider required to have 30 credits in sleep medicine?

Per the AASM Standards for Accreditation, advanced practice provider (NP, PA, APRN) medical staff members are required to earn 30 continuing education credits (averaged 10 credits per year over the past 36 months) earned in sleep medicine; however, for a newly hired advanced practice provider (NP, PA, APRN), the AASM will accept continuing education credits prorated based on the hire date. For example, if an advanced practice provider (NP, PA, APRN) has been working for one year, 10 continuing education credits earned in sleep medicine will be required. If in the application process, the hire date should be entered in the staff profile.

How many Registered Technologists are we required to have on staff? What qualifications are needed to serve as a Registered Technologist?

Per Standards N-9 and L-4, each location providing diagnostic services (In-Lab Testing and/or HSAT), must have at least one registered sleep technologist who is registered or accepted to sit for the registry exam by one of the following:

  • American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) – Registered Sleep Technologist (RST)
  • National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) – Registered Respiratory Therapist – Sleep Disorder Specialist (RRT-SDS)
  • Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) – Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)
  • Another organization that offers an equivalent examination accepted by the AASM.

The registry exam must be passed within one year from acceptance to sit for the examination; otherwise, the individual will be considered a non-registered technologist.

The individual(s) fulfilling this standard must be present (virtually or in person) at the lab at least 30 hours per week. If the lab is open fewer than 40 hours per week, then the registered sleep technologist(s) must be present at the lab for 75% of operating hours.

My sleep lab no longer has a registered technologist. What are my next steps?

To remain in compliance with Standard L-4, a sleep lab that loses its sole registered sleep technologist will have 120 days to hire a new employee. Please inform your Accreditation Coordinator if you are not currently compliant with this Standard.

A technologist was hired within the past year. Is the technologist required to have 30 sleep-related CECs?

Per the AASM Standards for Accreditation, all technical staff are required to earn 30 credits (averaged 10 credits per year over the past 36 months) of sleep-related continuing education credits; however, for a newly hired sleep technologist, the AASM will accept CECs prorated based on the hire date. For example, if a technologist has been working for one year, 10 sleep-related continuing education credits will be required. If in the application process, the hire date should be entered in the staff profile.

Who can serve as scoring personnel at an accredited program?

Per Standard N-13, scoring personnel must be one of the following: RST, RPSGT, CPSGT, respiratory therapists with the sleep disorders specialist certification (either CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS), or medical staff members/PhDs board-certified in sleep medicine (as defined in Standard N-1 and Standard N-3). Scoring personnel not credentialed in sleep as identified above (e.g., non-registered or non-certified sleep technologist or respiratory therapists without sleep disorders specialist certification) may score only under the supervision of one of the above while adhering to Standard N-11 Non-Registered Sleep Technologist.

Our scoring technologists do not interact with patients. Do they require CPR certification?

Per Standard N-10, all registered and non-registered technical staff members, regardless of job duties, must hold a valid CPR certification with cognitive and skills training.

Do subcontracted scorers need to be included in the application?

Yes, technologists scoring as part of a subcontracting company are required to be listed within the application and they must still meet all applicable accreditation requirements as part of the subcontracting agreement found under Standard L-26 or Standard H-9. The subcontracting scoring company will need to be identified in the application.

What is needed in the subcontracting contract to meet Standard L-26 or Standard H-9 Subcontracting Scoring?

The sleep program is responsible for assessing the performance of the subcontractor in meeting contractual obligations including meeting applicable AASM Accreditation standards for scoring personnel (e.g., Standard N-24 Inter-scorer Reliability). Therefore, the written agreement with the subcontractor must enumerate the performance expectations of the subcontractor including adherence to applicable AASM Standards. The scoring contract will not be requested in the application.

What quality assurance measures are required to be reported under the Standards?

Per Standard N-22, a network, which includes a clinic, must have a quality assurance (QA) program that tracks three sleep medicine quality measures and inter-scorer reliability as outlined in Standard N-24. The three sleep quality measures must include a process measure, and two outcome measures related to the delivery of patient care and outcomes. Examples of these measures are available at https://aasm.org/clinical-resources/practice-standards/quality-measures/

Further information can be found in the Quality Assurance Fact Sheet: https://aasm.org/accreditation/resources/quality-assurance-fact-sheet/

The quality assurance Standard refers to a minimum threshold, but it is not defined. Who defines the minimum threshold requirements?

The Standards do not specify a minimum threshold percentage (%). Instead, the sleep program, under the oversight of the Network Director, must establish minimum thresholds for process and outcome measures that align with the Network’s goals.

Who should sign off on the quality assurance report? How long must quality assurance reports be kept?

Per Standard N-2, #2, the Network Director must review, report, and manage the quality assurance program on a quarterly basis as outlined in Standards N-22 & N-23. Quarterly, the Network Director must attest to the effectiveness of quality improvement efforts and address plans for remediation of metrics that do not meet the minimal threshold. Quarterly reports must be signed and dated by the Network Director and maintained for at least five years.

How do we report quality assurance and PAP assessment data if we do not have access to the clinic medical records?

The following strategies can be used to access the data needed to meet these standards:

  • Establish a Business Associate Agreement between the clinic and lab to facilitate the sharing of PHI as needed.
  • Obtain patient consent to share data with the lab.
  • Provide the required data to the lab in a de-identified format to address any HIPAA concerns.
  • Have the clinic maintain patient-focused QA measures and report the results to the lab for inclusion in the larger QA report.

For more details, refer to the Clinic versus Lab Fact Sheet.

My network includes multiple labs, clinics, and HSAT service locations. Are quality assurance policies and reports required for each location?

No, the 2025 Standards for Accreditation have simplified the quality assurance requirements to be implemented at the network level. This means a single quality assurance policy and report can cover the entire network, eliminating the need for separate policies or reports for each location.

What is Inter-Scorer Reliability (ISR)?

Inter-Scorer Reliability (ISR) refers to the degree of agreement between scorers and a board-certified individual when analyzing the same set of data (e.g., sleep staging epoch-by-epoch agreement, respiratory events, leg movements, and arousals).

How do I satisfy the Inter-Scorer Reliability Standard?

To meet Standard N-24 Inter-Scorer Reliability, the sleep program may conduct inter-scorer reliability in-house or utilize AASM’s Sleep ISR platform. If conducting in-house, all bullet points identified in Standard N-24 must be fulfilled.

When should I expect my site visit to occur? Is it announced?

Per the Accreditation Process and Policies, site visits must be conducted within 12 months of the accreditation application’s approval. The Accreditation Department strives to communicate with your program within 4-6 months (on average) to arrange the site visit.

Are there fees to schedule my site visit?

No, there are no fees to schedule a site visit.

We just had our site visit. When will we find out the results?

After the site visit, the sleep program can expect a letter and site visit report within four to six weeks to arrive at the Network mailing address on record.

Where do I resolve the provisos and what is the process?

To resolve the provisos, log-in to your AASM account and navigate to the existing accreditation application. The provisos are added to the “Provisos” section. Review the outstanding provisos and upload the corresponding documentation. Once all provisos are marked corrected, submit the application for the Accreditation Department’s review. Provisos will be reviewed within 2-3 weeks of submission. The proviso must be resolved (approved) within 90 days of notification.

The AASM will be in contact if any additional information is needed based upon review. Once all provisos are approved, you will receive an approval letter and accreditation certificate.

I have a question about my Business Associate Agreement (BAA), are there any BAA FAQ’s?

Questions about the BAA process and access to the AASM’s BAA can be found on the BAA webpage.

I have a BAA from a previous reaccreditation application. Is it still valid for this reaccreditation process, or does a new one need to be signed?

If there have been no significant changes to HIPAA regulations, a previously executed BAA may still be applicable and can be used in the reaccreditation application.