FAQs on the 2021 Program Changes

You can download and read this overview of the changes to the Program and the Program Manual and Standards here.

Just as laboratories are expected to continuously review and improve their practices, so too is TSANZ expected to continuously review and improve the Respiratory Function Laboratory Accreditation program. TSANZ has listened to feedback from key stakeholders and incorporated a wide number of improvements and clarifications, and addressed gaps in the previous (2016) Program Manual.

Ongoing review and improvement of the Standards is required in order to ensure that they continue to reflect uniform minimum standards and foster excellence in the approach to the assessment of respiratory function in laboratories in Australia and New Zealand. The changes to the standards are not designed to have laboratories ‘fail’ the process; instead, the changes are designed to encourage laboratories to review and improve the quality of their services.

No. You don’t need to do or change anything.

You need to be aware that the program will be managed from January 2022 in accordance with the process and conditions detailed in the revised Program Manual (2021). To continue to review and improve the quality of your services, you should consider reviewing the updated standards and self-assessing with regard to any gaps and areas where you could incorporate further improvements to your practices and service delivery.

No. TSANZ will accept applications for accreditation (either new or re-accreditation) against the previous (2016) Program Manual and Forms up until 31st December 2021.

You need to be aware that the program will be managed from January 2012 in accordance with the process and conditions detailed in the revised Program Manual (2021). To continue to review and improve the quality of your services, you should consider reviewing the updated standards and self-assessing with regard to any gaps and areas where you could incorporate further improvements to your practices and service delivery.

No. TSANZ will accept applications for accreditation (either new or re-accreditation) against the previous (2016) Program Manual and Standards up until 31st December 2021.

You need to be aware that the program will be managed from January 2022 in accordance with the process and conditions detailed in the revised Program Manual (2021). To continue to review and improve the quality of your services, you should consider reviewing the updated standards and self-assessing with regard to any gaps and areas where you could incorporate further improvements to your practices and service delivery.

Not necessarily; this depends on when your current accreditation expires.

If your Laboratory Accreditation expires in February or March 2022, your submission will be due in late 2021 and you can choose whether you submit your application for re-accreditation using the previous (2016) OR the revised (2021) Program Manual and Standards.

If your Laboratory Accreditation expires in May or June 2022 or later, your submission will be due in early 2022 and you must submit your application for re-accreditation using the revised (2021) Program Manual and Standards.

From 1st January 2022, all requests for accreditation (either new or re-accreditation) must be made against the updated (2021) Program Manual and Standards.

Before the end of July 2021, TSANZ will write to all Laboratories whose accreditation expires during 2022 and clarify the submission requirements and timings.

No. The TSANZ Office will write to you approximately 12 months before your accreditation is due to expire and remind you of the timeframes, application forms, and submission requirements. This correspondence will confirm the current Program Manual and associated Standards that you will be required to prepare your application against. You will be expected to submit your application for accreditation 9 months before the expiry of your current accreditation.

The revised Program Manual and Standards (2021) require accredited laboratories to submit their application for re-accreditation to the TSANZ Office 9 months prior to the expiration of their current accreditation.

Please contact the TSANZ Office on email: Labaccreditation@thoracic.org.au; or telephone: +61 2 9222 6200.

No. All current Assessor Panels are using the Standards from the 2016 Program Manual. The Assessor Panel will continue in accordance with ongoing direction from the LAQC and TSANZ Office.

No. There is essentially no change to how the assessment process works, and the responsibilities of the assessors and Assessor Panel. When the Assessor Panel is formed, the TSANZ Office will be sure to communicate which standards the assessment is to be against (either 2016 or 2021). The Initial Evaluation Form that each Assessor must complete is slightly different, dependent on whether or not the assessment is against the 2016 or 2021 standards. The TSANZ Office will make sure that each Panel receives the correct template at the appropriate time.

Please contact the Clinical Quality Coordinator via email: Labaccreditation@thoracic.org.au; or telephone: +61 2 9222 6200.

Please contact the Clinical Quality Coordinator via email: Labaccreditation@thoracic.org.au; or telephone: +61 2 9222 6200.