Changes in CME Program

General Program Updates (97-06-A)

An accredited institution/organization is responsible for promptly informing the OSMA, in writing, whenever major changes to its CME program occur. Changes which must be reported include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Changes, addition, or decrease in all levels of CME personnel;
• Changes in CME committee chairperson;
• Changes in the institution's ownership, CEO, president, or other administrator with ultimate responsibility for the CME program;
• Change in an institution's status from not-for-profit to for-profit or vice versa;
• Substantial changes to the program's mission, scope of activities, financing or allocation of resources;
• Decision to begin joint sponsorship with non-accredited institutions/entities;
• Decision to begin development of enduring materials.

An institution/organization should not wait until its next Annual Report or Progress Report (if required) to notify the OSMA of these types of changes. Program updates will be provided to the OSMA Focused Task Force on Accreditation for information.

If the task force determines that the changes within the institution's/organization's CME program are significant, the OSMA will evaluate the program to determine if a site survey should be scheduled to evaluate the provider's accreditation status. The decision to schedule a site survey will be based upon such factors as the institution's past stability, accreditation history, review recommendations, and information gathered in follow-up to the program update.

If a site survey is recommended, this will be scheduled as soon as possible following the decision. If a site visit is warranted, the accredited institution/organization will be responsible for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by members of the site survey team.

Failure to notify the OSMA of changes in an institution's/organization's CME program may jeopardize the accreditation status.