Site Visit Process

The site visit is the most complex aspect of the accreditation process. It is also the most visible function of the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). 

Site visitation teams usually have 2 members, one of whom may be (and in some cases, must be) a physician. Site Visitors are an on-site objective observers and gatherer of the “facts” that are reported back to the CoARC Referee as a part of the ongoing process of accreditation and reaccreditation.

During one to two days at a campus, site visitors interact with all of the communities of interest, review pertinent documents, and, when appropriate, inspect program facilities.
 
Through this process, the CoARC ensures that each program’s documentation supports the analysis and action plans related to its resources and outcomes.  Further, the visit offers an opportunity to document the degree to which the program meets the Standards.

 

Before the Site Visit

Prior to your site visit, the Referee assigned to that program (a Referee is a member of the CoARC Board assigned to a program to review and assist with a program’s accreditation process) will communicate with you and the program regarding specific concerns or requests regarding the data submitted by the program in their self-study report, annual report, or progress report.  The Site Visitor will review the Program's Self Study and the Referee's Analysis of the Self Study prior to the site visit.

 
Standard Site Visit Agendas 4/10
(Respiratory Care and Polysomnography)

Preparing for a Site Visit

Jolene Miller MEd RRT, Lafayette IN and
Tammy Miller MEd RRT CPFT, Thomasville GA

This presentation focuses on how to prepare for an accreditation site visit; topics are presented from the perspective of the department chair, dean, and key program faculty. General topics include planning ahead to ensure participation by key individuals, gathering and organizing essential documentation, and preparing your students, faculty, and administrators for the site visit.

 

During the Site Visit

At the beginning of your site visit, both program personnel and representatives of the administration will be clearly informed about the purposes, function, and mechanics of the on-site evaluation and its relationship to the accreditation processes of the CoARC. 

During the site visit, the Site Visit Team will endeavor to gather program information relative to the Standards and to address any questions or concerns from the Referee.  This information can be obtained from: 1) on-site inspection of records, facilities, etc., 2) interviews of faculty, students, and graduates, 3) discussions with the Administration, Dean, Program Director, Director of Clinical Education, and the Advisory Committee.

After the Site Visit team has completed their report, they will arrange to meet with the Program Director and Director of Clinical Education to confirm their data and to discuss their conclusions.  The team will also provide informal ideas and suggestions to help the program personnel address any shortcomings in their program. Team members will then provide program personnel and administration officials with an objective oral review of the findings of the team during the on-site evaluation. 

 

After the Site Visit

Following your site visit, the site visit team will submit an electronic "On-Site Review Report (OSRR)" to the Executive Office.  The Executive Office will then forward the report to the program referee who will review the report and make recommendations to the CoARC Board.  Prior to Board action, the program is given an opportunity to respond to any factual errors.

Following the site visit, the Executive Office will request that the program complete the Program Site Visit Questionnaire (PSQ) below.

Program Site Visit Questionnaire (PSQ)

To be completed by Program Director and Dean following site visit

Questions about the site visit process should be sent to the Bonnie Marrs, Site visit Coordinator at (817) 283-2835 ext 102 or by email at bonnie@coarc.com.