2 0 1 5 A N C C P R I M A R Y A C C R E D I TAT I O N
P R OV I D E R
APPLICATION MANUAL
I N N O VAT E . I N V O LV E . I N S P I R E .
,
,2015 ANCC PRIMARY ACCREDITATION PROVIDER APPLICATION MANUAL
Visit www.nursecredentialing.org/accreditation.aspx for manual clarifications.
Published by
American Nurses Credentialing Center
8515 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3492
Copyright © 2015 by American Nurses Credentialing Center,
Silver Spring, Maryland, 2015 edition.
A subsidiary of the American Nurses Association
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission of
the publisher.
DISCLAIMER
Completing all the processes within the 2015 Primary Accreditation Provider Application Manual facilitates organizational
accreditation but does not, in and of itself, guarantee achievement of accreditation.
NOTICE
From time to time, changes may be made to the Primary Accreditation Program and this 2015 ANCC Primary
Accreditation Provider Application Manual. Applicants must confirm that they are using the most current edition of the
2015 ANCC Primary Accreditation Provider Application Manual before preparing written documentation for
submission to the ANCC Accreditation Program Office. For application information and updates, go to www.
nursecredentialing.org/accreditation.aspx.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2016
Applicants may begin using this manual prior to the effective date, but are required to use it as of 07/01/2016.
, 2 0 1 5 A N C C P R I M A R Y A C C R E D I TAT I O N
P ROV I D E R
APPLICATION MANUAL
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
PREFAC E..................................................................................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER 1: THE PRIMARY ACCREDITATION PROGRAM................................................. 3
History and Structure of Primary Accreditation.................................................................................................................................. 3
ANCC Provider Accreditation Program Structure.............................................................................................................................. 4
Primary Accreditation Conceptual Framework.................................................................................................................................... 7
Focus on Quality and Outcomes................................................................................................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER 2: PROVIDER ACCREDITATION APPLICATION AND REQUIREMENTS....... 9
Assessing Eligibility................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Accreditation as a Provider Unit (Accredited Provider).................................................................................................................. 9
Legal and Regulatory Compliance............................................................................................................................................................... 11
Primary Accreditation Application Process............................................................................................................................................ 11
Guidelines for Written Narratives.................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Written Documentation Review..................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Virtual Visit................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Accreditation Decision......................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Appealing an Adverse Accreditation Decision..................................................................................................................................... 14
Voluntary Termination.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Probation, Suspension, and Revocation.................................................................................................................................................... 16
Transition of Services............................................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Notification of Events............................................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Annual Reporting.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Data Use........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Confidential Information..................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
CHAPTER 3: EDUCATIONAL DESIGN PROCESS.................................................................... 23
Educational Design Process............................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Professional Practice Gap............................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Planning Committee......................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Underlying Educational Needs................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Target Audience.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Learning Outcome(s)....................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Content for Educational Activity............................................................................................................................................................... 25
Active Learner Engagement........................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Criteria for Awarding Contact Hours..................................................................................................................................................... 26
P R OV I D E R
APPLICATION MANUAL
I N N O VAT E . I N V O LV E . I N S P I R E .
,
,2015 ANCC PRIMARY ACCREDITATION PROVIDER APPLICATION MANUAL
Visit www.nursecredentialing.org/accreditation.aspx for manual clarifications.
Published by
American Nurses Credentialing Center
8515 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3492
Copyright © 2015 by American Nurses Credentialing Center,
Silver Spring, Maryland, 2015 edition.
A subsidiary of the American Nurses Association
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission of
the publisher.
DISCLAIMER
Completing all the processes within the 2015 Primary Accreditation Provider Application Manual facilitates organizational
accreditation but does not, in and of itself, guarantee achievement of accreditation.
NOTICE
From time to time, changes may be made to the Primary Accreditation Program and this 2015 ANCC Primary
Accreditation Provider Application Manual. Applicants must confirm that they are using the most current edition of the
2015 ANCC Primary Accreditation Provider Application Manual before preparing written documentation for
submission to the ANCC Accreditation Program Office. For application information and updates, go to www.
nursecredentialing.org/accreditation.aspx.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2016
Applicants may begin using this manual prior to the effective date, but are required to use it as of 07/01/2016.
, 2 0 1 5 A N C C P R I M A R Y A C C R E D I TAT I O N
P ROV I D E R
APPLICATION MANUAL
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
PREFAC E..................................................................................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER 1: THE PRIMARY ACCREDITATION PROGRAM................................................. 3
History and Structure of Primary Accreditation.................................................................................................................................. 3
ANCC Provider Accreditation Program Structure.............................................................................................................................. 4
Primary Accreditation Conceptual Framework.................................................................................................................................... 7
Focus on Quality and Outcomes................................................................................................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER 2: PROVIDER ACCREDITATION APPLICATION AND REQUIREMENTS....... 9
Assessing Eligibility................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Accreditation as a Provider Unit (Accredited Provider).................................................................................................................. 9
Legal and Regulatory Compliance............................................................................................................................................................... 11
Primary Accreditation Application Process............................................................................................................................................ 11
Guidelines for Written Narratives.................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Written Documentation Review..................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Virtual Visit................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Accreditation Decision......................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Appealing an Adverse Accreditation Decision..................................................................................................................................... 14
Voluntary Termination.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Probation, Suspension, and Revocation.................................................................................................................................................... 16
Transition of Services............................................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Notification of Events............................................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Annual Reporting.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Data Use........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Confidential Information..................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
CHAPTER 3: EDUCATIONAL DESIGN PROCESS.................................................................... 23
Educational Design Process............................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Professional Practice Gap............................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Planning Committee......................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Underlying Educational Needs................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Target Audience.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Learning Outcome(s)....................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Content for Educational Activity............................................................................................................................................................... 25
Active Learner Engagement........................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Criteria for Awarding Contact Hours..................................................................................................................................................... 26
