Effective June 1, 2011, National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy® only accepts ANCC® approved Continuing Nursing Education for initial WCC Certification through the Experiential Option. Feel free to contact us at 877-922-6292 x708 if you still have questions after reading the Questions and Answers below on this topic:
Question:
I understand that, as of August 1, 2009, commercial interest companies can no longer apply for ANCC accreditation of their Continuing Education activities. Can they apply for approval?
Answer:
No, they cannot apply to have their activities approved. However, there is an alternate form of ANCC accreditation. The Nursing Skills Competency Program (NSCP) offers accreditation for programs that utilize both knowledge-based testing and skill observation methods of participant outcomes in nursing skills. (Acility, Medline, etc. can use this pathway.) These accreditation statements will read: “ANCC-accredited Nursing Skills Competency Program.”
NOTE: NAWCO® will only accept accreditation statements that read: “Facility Name, an accredited provider of Continuing Nursing Education by American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.”
Question:
Can commercial interest companies that are currently accredited or approved by ANCC as providers continue with their status until it expires?
Answer:
No. The new regulations went into effect July 31, 2009. On August 1, 2010 (1 year following the effective date of these regulations), the accreditation status of the currently accredited commercial interest organizations was terminated. The approval status of commercial interest organizations was terminated at this time also.
Question:
What is a “commercial interest” company?
Answer:
Commercial interest companies include:
- Any entity either producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.
- Any entity that is owned or controlled by an entity that produces, markets, re-sells, or distributes health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.
*Exceptions are made for non-profit or government organizations and non-health care related companies.
Question:
What is the reason for requiring all CE activities be accredited or approved by ANCC?
Answer:
There have been incidences of providers being denied by one approver who then go to a series of other approvers until they find one that will approve their activity. These come to our attention through complaints from participants. It is, therefore, more efficient and protects the participants if ANCC reviews and accredits all of the providers reaching the larger audiences so that they can be monitored more closely.
To confirm your continuing education provider is accredited by ANCC, check the ANCC course verification site.
