An accredited echocardiography laboratory requires the interpreting physicians and practicing sonographers to be adequately trained and experienced to interpret and perform echocardiograms.

The intent of the accreditation process is two-fold. It is designed to recognize laboratories that provide quality echocardiographic services. It is also designed to be used as an educational tool to improve the overall quality of the laboratory.

Today's health care organizations are held to very high levels of accountability -- by peers, by the general pulic, and by Medicare and other payers. ICANL accreditation is a means by which general nuclear medicine and nuclear cardiology facilities can evaluate and demonstrate the level of patient care they provide.

The ICANL was created by uniting physicians and technologists from the sponsoring organizations. Collectively these individuals created The Standards, an extensive compilation of documents defining the minimal requirements for nuclear medicine and nuclear cardiology laboratories to provide high quality care.