American College of Emergency PhysiciansEDAc FAQs
What is EDAc?
The Emergency Department Accreditation Program (EDAc) is a national accreditation initiative from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) designed to recognize emergency departments (EDs) that meet defined standards of quality, safety, and clinical excellence.
Who runs the Emergency Department Accreditation Program?
The accreditation program was developed by nationally known experts and leaders in emergency medicine. The leaders within EDAc were appointed by the ACEP Board of Directors to the EDAc Board of Governors.
Why should our emergency department seek ED accreditation?
Accreditation is an excellent way to convey to your patients, colleagues, and community that your ED cares about the service it provides. EDAc accreditation, specifically, is a statement that your hospital prioritizes the best in emergency care.
What are the levels of EDAc accreditation?
All four levels are represented by an ED that has met 33 common criteria in ED Administrative Leadership and Oversight, Policies, Quality, and Resources. Each level has additional differentiating criteria.
Gold Level I accreditations will meet specific differentiating criteria in Staffing/Supervision, Advanced Imaging, and Social Services, meeting the highest standards to elevate the level of care in the ED.
Silver Level II accreditations will meet specific differentiating criteria in Staffing/Supervision, Advanced Imaging, and Social Services that are reasonably expected to elevate the level of care in the ED.
Bronze Level III accreditations will meet specific differentiating criteria in Staffing/Supervision and Advanced Imaging that are reasonably expected to elevate the level of care in the ED.
Rural & Critical Access accreditations will meet specific differentiating criteria in Staffing/Supervision and Advanced Imaging, establishing the highest standards of care in these unique environments.
Who can apply?
The Emergency Department Accreditation Program (EDAc) is accepting applications from hospital emergency departments (EDs) with a desire to establish the highest standards for emergency medicine, ensuring that accredited hospitals provide superior patient care, maintain optimal staffing, and promote a safer, more efficient work environment.
How long is the accreditation valid?
EDAc accreditation is valid for three years from the date of award, after which reapplication is required to maintain status.
How much does Emergency Department Accreditation Cost, and why are fees necessary?
Costs vary by accreditation level and support critical functions such as application review by emergency physicians, site surveys, staffing, IT infrastructure, and the ongoing work needed to maintain accreditation standards through support of the program’s governance.
Application fees are based on level:
- Gold Level I: $15,000
- Silver Level II: $10,000
- Bronze Level III: $5,000
- Rural and Critical Access Level: $2,500
What qualifications must emergency physicians meet?
Qualified emergency physicians must be board certified or board eligible by ABEM or AOBEM. For pediatric emergency care, physicians must be BC/BE in Pediatric Emergency Medicine by ABEM or the American Board of Pediatrics.
How is accreditation determined for hospitals with shared governance of Adult and Pediatric EDs?
There are two options to accredit both the Peds ED and the adult ED:
- A facility with an adult and Pediatric ED could apply in a single application if the adult and pediatric ED are in the same physical space or the facility wishes to accredit both, however both EDs must meet all standards for the level for which the facility is seeking accreditation;
- If the adult and pediatric EDs are in separate physical locations, each can submit its own accreditation application and fee, and each will receive a separate accreditation determination. In this situation the adult and pediatric EDs may seek different levels of accreditation (e.g., adult Level I and pediatric ED level II).
Do we need an onsite pharmacist or respiratory therapist?
- Gold Level I: Both must be onsite.
- Silver Level II: May be onsite or virtual.
- Bronze Level III and Rural: Not required but recommended.
Is social work support required?
- Gold Level I: Access 7 days/week, 12 hours/day (can be virtual).
- Silver Level II: Access 5 days/week, 8 hours/day (can be virtual).
- Bronze Level III and Rural: Not required.
What are the imaging requirements?
All levels require 24/7 access to point-of-care ultrasound and a timely reading plan by a radiologist.
- Gold Level I: CT, MRI, US, and technologists onsite 24/7.
- Silver Level II: Technologists for plain films, CT, and US onsite; MRI tech on-call.
- Bronze Level III and Rural: CT onsite 24/7; MRI/US via local or transfer agreements.
How long does the application process take?
A completed and submitted application will be reviewed by two ACEP-appointed expert emergency physicians. Applicants may be asked additional questions to clarify parts of the application. The entire process is expected to take approximately eight weeks, depending on application level.
Is a site visit required?
Yes, site visits are required based on the accreditation level. Reviewers may conduct chart reviews and interview frontline staff to confirm adherence to criteria.
- Gold level I – requires onsite or virtual site visit.
- If an onsite visit is required as part of the accreditation process, the associated onsite visit fees will be the responsibility of the applying hospital.
- Silver Level II – Virtual visit only
- Bronze Level III and Rural – No site visit required
How do I apply for accreditation?
Accreditation applications are being accepted now. There are a number of documents that will be required to complete your application. Please review the sample applications and the EDAc accreditation level descriptions for more detailed guidance on the documentation required.
Who do I contact for questions?
Please email the EDAc Program Manager at edac@acep.org.