Simulation centers accreditation guidelines and good practice

Abstract

AbstractIn 2005, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) launched an innovative program to accredit simulation centers based on rigorous standards and criteria. These standards and criteria were developed through an intense two‐year process that involved internationally‐renowned experts in the field of surgical simulation and individuals who were leading technical skills training centers in the US and Canada. We pilot‐tested the accreditation model, as well as the standards and criteria to ensure that they were robust and reliable. A few years ago we revised the accreditation model to one of continuing certification with longer accreditation cycles and detailed annual reports and targeted reviews as necessary. The accredited simulation centers are called ACS‐accredited Education Institutes given their broad scope of activities focusing on skills training, verification, and validation. The accreditation model includes two levels – comprehensive and basic, and there are different standards and criteria for each level of accreditation. The program has grown significantly and now includes 92 ACS‐accredited Education Institutes of which 82 are in the US and 10 in other regions of the world, including Canada, UK, Europe, Middle East, and Latin America. The program continues to grow and there is an annual meeting in Spring each year called the ACS Surgical Simulation Summit that provides opportunities to present scientific work, best practices, and latest advances in surgical simulation. In addition to the representatives from the ACS‐accredited Education Institutes, several other experts participate as well. The program continues to support the needs of practicing surgeons, surgery residents, medical students, and members of surgical teams. The ACS Division of Education looks forward to increasing international participation in this unique and one‐of‐a‐kind network.