Submit a Compliance Complaint
Anyone can submit a complaint who has knowledge of a compliance violation that has been committed.
Please watch this video to understand the Third-party Complaint compliance review process.
Inteleos/ARDMS/APCA maintain Compliance Policies that are mandatory standards for all Applicants, Candidates, Registrants and/or Certificants.
Inteleos/ARDMS/APCA takes all reported violations of our Compliance Policies seriously. As a result, all investigations and a review of alleged violations will be conducted in accordance with the Compliance Policies. A determination cannot be rendered without completing a compliance review. During the Compliance Review, the subject of the Complaint will retain their eligibility for examination and active credential status as applicable until the conclusion of the review process. Complainants will be notified in writing of the outcome once the complaint review process has concluded.
Compliance reviews take between thirty days and six months to process but may take longer depending on the volume of cases received and the severity of the matter reported.
The complainant can elect to remain anonymous during the Compliance Review, but we do ask that you provide your name and contact information when submitting the complaint to allow staff to contact you, should we have any additional questions regarding the complaint.
Contact the Compliance department with any questions.
You can only submit complaints against Applicants, Candidates and Registrants who are seeking or have earned an Inteleos/ARDMS/APCA certification. Individuals who are not Inteleos/ARDMS/APCA certified and/or have not applied for certification are not under the jurisdiction of the Inteleos/ARDMS/APCA.
All complaints that we receive are investigated based on the information available. Upon investigating the complaint, we will determine if the incident is a violation of ARDMS Compliance Policies, specifically any of the situations described in Section 1.1 of the Compliance Policy.
Patient situations:
If something happened during an ultrasound procedure that concerned you, start by following up with your ordering physician. You may also find it helpful to review the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography’s Scope of Practice, which describes what patients should expect during sonographic procedures and outlines sonographer qualifications.
For complaints about how a procedure was conducted, contact the imaging department or facility management where the procedure took place.
If you believe your concern rises to the level of a Compliance Policy violation, you may submit a report using the complaint form linked above.
All complaints must be submitted in writing via the electronic complaint form linked above. Complaints cannot be submitted via telephone or email.
There is no time limit to submit a complaint. We will accept all substantiated complaints.
Inteleos/ARDMS/APCA conduct administrative investigations. Documented proof of the compliance violation is required to substantiate the complaint.
Submitting detailed information and/or documentation ensures that the complaint is clear and understood, has verifiable merit, and that enough evidence has been received to warrant a full compliance investigation.
The documentation provided with your complaint is the only information required from you. We may contact you to request additional information; however, you will not be asked to participate in any way during the hearing process.
Complaints regarding HIPAA Violations:
Health and Human Services – Health Information Privacy
Complaints regarding use of ultrasound for non-diagnostic purposes:
Health and Human Services – Food and Drug Administration
Complaints regarding events occurring at accredited medical facilities: