WHO
GA²LEN, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, has recently launched a programme for the development, interaction and accreditation of centers of reference and excellence in special areas of allergy embedded in its overall quality management of allergy centres of excellence.
The first area chosen is urticaria. Urticaria is a common and debilitating condition and can be a challenge for both patients and treating physicians, especially when chronic. Centers of reference and excellence in urticaria (UCAREs) can help to improve the management of hard to treat conditions such as urticaria.
WHY
The main aims of GA²LEN UCAREs are to provide excellence in urticaria management, to increase the knowledge of urticaria by research and education, and to promote the awareness of urticaria by advocacy activities. To become a certified GA²LEN UCARE, urticaria centers have to apply and fulfill 32 requirements, defined by specific deliverables that are assessed during an audit visit. The GA²LEN UCARE programme will result in a strong network of urticaria specialists, promote urticaria research, and harmonize and improve urticaria management globally.
Centers of reference and excellence in urticaria (UCAREs) can help to improve the management of hard-to-treat conditions such as urticaria. Here, we describe the aims, the requirements and deliverables, the application process, and the audit and accreditation protocol for GA²LEN UCAREs.
GA²LEN UCARE audit visit and meeting
A GA²LEN UCARE audit visit and meeting make sure that a urticaria center complies with the rules and fulfills the requirements of GA²LEN UCARE. The audit visit is also meant to strengthen the interaction between UCAREs and to promote the discussion of urticaria management, the organization of urticaria centers and joint urticaria projects between UCARE centers in the future.
A UCARE audit is to be held in a place that allows for collegial discussions and meaningful exchange.
The center that is audited should:
- Provide enough space and time to properly do the audit.
- Schedule up to 2 hours for the audit meeting,
- Make all required documentation accessible at the time of the audit.
- Be ready to show to the auditor(s) the rooms and setup of the center.
- Have the team of the center present during the audit in addition to the head of the urticaria center.
The auditing of some of the requirements involves a review of patient files and standard operating procedures. These should be made available during the audit. Auditors and auditees should see the audit visit as an opportunity to learn from each other, to promote the harmonization of urticaria management and to discuss and plan possible network projects and interactions.
For more information, please go to the GA²LEN-UCARE Website