Accreditation Data System (ADS) Update
Beginning in July 2021, new Institutional Requirements state that the DIO must oversee the submission of all ADS Annual Updates (I.A.5.b).(2)). To ensure adequate time to review, programs must submit their ADS Annual Update to the DIO ~three weeks prior to their assigned deadline. Learn more.
ACGME Assigned Due Date | Deadline to submit to the DIO |
August 23, 2024 | August 5, 2024 |
September 20, 2024 | September 3, 2024 |
Below are resources from GME and the ACGME to help with the ADS update process. Please review the resources carefully as citations and areas for improvement are often informed by the data submitted to the ACGME through these annual updates.
Program Directors, you are ultimately responsible for the information provided in your ADS annual update and should review all information prior to final submission.
GME Presentations
- ADS Annual Update Lunch & Learn (7/18/2024)
ACGME Resources
- Avoiding Common Errors in the ADS Annual Update – includes detailed information on responding to citations, entering scholarly activity and creating an effective block diagram.
- Program Directors’ Guide to the Common Program Requirements – includes guidance on core (shown in bold) Common Program Requirements.
- Annual Update Changes 2024-2025
- Annual Update FAQs 2024-2025
Hadar Duman, MHI
Director of Accreditation
Phone: 206.616.2961
Email: hadars@uw.edu
Olivia Frederiksen
Accreditation Manager
Phone: 206.685.0252
Email: ofred@uw.edu
How to:
Accessing the Accreditation Data System (ADS) and the Annual Update.
Instructions and Navigation
1) Navigate to the Accreditation Data System (ADS) at: https://apps.acgme.org/connect/
2) Log in |
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Program page overview Note: At the top of the far right Reference Panel is the due date for your program. Reminder – programs must submit to the DIO two weeks prior to the assigned ACGME due date in order to allow for review. |
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For the Annual Update you have to make sure to complete all required sections.
Note: Even if your ADS update section is marked “Section Complete” you must review and make sure the information is up-to-date.
Complete all the missing information and then review all parts. |
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Tips for completing your ADS Update
If your program is under initial accreditation, your ADS Update format and questions may differ slightly.
Remember, the ACGME reviewers who read your ADS Update are not familiar with your program or our system. Make sure to spell out acronyms and explain site or system specific oddities. Answers should reflect the past academic year (July 1st – June 30).
Note: Even if your ADS update section is marked “Section Complete” you must review and make sure the information is up-to-date.
Program Information
Specialties who are required to report case logs will have additional questions.
ADS Question | Tips |
Effects of the Pandemic on the Program | |
1. For each item, please indicate the overall effect of the pandemic over the past academic year, compared to normal, pre-pandemic levels prior to March 2020, on each of these activities for your residents or fellows:
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Please answer as appropriate for your program. Answers should reflect the past academic year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). |
2. For each item, please indicate the overall effect of the pandemic over the past academic year, compared to normal, pre-pandemic levels prior to March 2020, on each of these activities for your faculty:
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Please answer as appropriate for your program. Answers should reflect the past academic year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). |
3. During the past academic year, did you use a “platooning” system in your program due to the COVID-19 pandemic? |
Please answer as appropriate for your program. Answers should reflect the past academic year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). |
4. Regarding the use of telemedicine during the past academic year:
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Please answer as appropriate for your program. Estimates suffice. Answers should reflect the past academic year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). |
5. For each category of impact below, how many months of the past academic year would you estimate the pandemic had a negative impact on the education the residents or fellows in your program? (answers should add up to 12): |
Please answer as appropriate for your program, make sure that your answers add up to 12 months. Answers should reflect the past academic year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). |
6. Were any residents or fellows required to extend their training for any reason related to the pandemic? (If no, skip questions 6a and 6b)
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Please answer as appropriate for your program. Answers should reflect the past academic year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). |
7. Were elective surgeries and/or procedures in your (sub)specialty postponed or cancelled at your program’s primary or participating sites at any time during the past academic year due to the pandemic? |
Please provide information related to elective operations and/or procedures in your specialty/subspecialty. Answers should reflect the past academic year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). |
8. Please respond to the following questions about the elective surgeries/procedures that residents or fellows in your program normally take part in:
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Please answer as appropriate for your program. Answers should reflect the past academic year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). Note: 8b only applies to specialties/subspecialties with case logs. |
Health Effects of the Pandemic | |
9. The responses to the following items should reflect what occurred in your program during the past academic year (between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021).
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Vaccination rates for UW Medicine staff as a whole can be used if your program-specific information is not known. (UW rates coming soon) If exact numbers are not known, please estimate. Note that question 9 answers are not are shared with Review Committees or used in accreditation decisions. Answer for the past academic year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). |
Primary Clinical Site
Clinical Experience and Educational Work (only applicable to programs with Initial Accreditation)
ADS QUESTION | TIPS |
1 – 3 | Please answer as appropriate for your program |
4. Indicate the ways your program educates residents/fellows and faculty members to recognize the signs of fatigue and sleep deprivation, alertness management and fatigue mitigation processes. | Please answer “Computer based learning modules” in addition to anything else appropriate for your program. Trainees complete an eLearning module related to fatigue. |
5. What options does your program or institution offer residents/fellows who may be too fatigued to safely return home? | Please answer “Money for taxi/rideshare service/public transportation” in addition to anything else appropriate for your program. Trainees have access to the GME Emergency Safe Ride Home Policy. |
6. Are residents/fellows permitted to moonlight? |
Please answer yes – Per the CBA, PGY2s and above are permitted to moonlight. Check specifics on the Moonlighting and Outside Work Policy. |
Citations (if applicable)
Use this space to give a thorough response to new or continued citations. See ACGME’s Avoiding Common Errors in the ADS Annual Update and review the “Responding to Citations Video”.
- If you haven’t yet addressed the citation, then describe what you plan to do. Be specific and thorough. Include dates, who is responsible, etc.
- If you are addressing a extended citation then be sure to update your previous answer. The information previously provided was not enough to show adequate compliance with the citation. How have you continued to address the citation and what do you plan to do moving forward?
- If goals are not met, explain why and outline next steps.
- Showcase any verifiable outcomes such as improved survey results, etc.
- If you feel that you received a citation that is unwarranted, then clearly explain the situation and why you feel it is unwarranted.
Please reach out to UW GME for assistance if needed.
Major Changes and Other Updates
ADS QUESTION | TIPS |
Provide a brief update explaining any major changes and other updates to the educational program in the last academic year, e.g., changes to program leadership and the faculty, rotational changes, curricular innovations, program challenges, efforts to address issues identified in the annual ACGME Surveys, and the impact of disruptions (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic) on resident/fellow education. |
This section is where you can speak directly to the ACGME. Try and use the full word count to fully update them on your program. A few things to keep in mind:
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Overall Evaluation Methods
ADS QUESTION | TIP |
Questions for Programs with Initial Accreditation only |
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1 – 2 | Answer as appropriate for your program |
Questions for all Programs | |
List the members of the Clinical Competency Committee | Please list the names of all CCC members and at a minimum meet requirement CPR V.A.3.a): At a minimum, the Clinical Competency Committee must include three members of the program faculty, at least one of whom is a core faculty member. |
List the members of the Program Evaluation Committee | Please list the names of all PEC members and at a minimum meet requirement CPR V.C.1.a): The Program Evaluation Committee must be composed of at least two program faculty members, at least one of whom is a core faculty member, and at least one resident. |
Does the program director or a program director designee meet and review with all residents/fellows their individual documented evaluation of performance, including progress along the specialty- or subspecialty-specific Milestones, on a semi-annual basis? |
Please answer yes per requirements: CPR V.A.1.d) The program director or their designee, with input from the Clinical Competency Committee, must: CPR V.A.1.d).(1) meet with and review with each resident their documented semi-annual evaluation of performance, including progress along the specialty-specific Milestones; (Core) |
Program Resources and Curriculum
ADS QUESTION |
TIPS |
Program Resources |
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What percent of FTE support is allocated to the program director for non-clinical time devoted to the administration of this program? |
Be sure to list as a percentage. If PD FTE does not meet or exceed requirements, you are at risk of a citation. Please refer to your specialty-specific requirements. |
In aggregate, what percent of FTE support is allocated to the associate program director(s) for non-clinical time devoted to the administration of the program? If not applicable, enter “0” in the response.
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Be sure to list as a percentage. If APD FTE does not meet or exceed requirements, you are at risk of a citation. Please refer to your specialty-specific requirements. |
If you have more than one associate program director, use the text box below to further explain. |
Please answer as appropriate for your program |
In aggregate, what percent of FTE support is allocated to the program coordinator(s) for time devoted to the administration of this program? |
Be sure to list as a percentage. Some review committees specify required PC FTE, please refer to your specialty-specific requirements. If PC FTE does not meet or exceed requirements, you are at risk of a citation. If your PA/PC supports multiple programs be sure to list only the FTE devoted to this specific program. If multiple PAs/PCs support your program then combine all of their FTE and include it here. |
(Question only applicable for programs whose Review Committees have established requirements) In aggregate, what percent of FTE support is allocated to core faculty members for time dedicated to educational and administrative responsibilities that do not involve direct patient care? |
Be sure to list as a percentage. To calculate, combine all of the dedicated FTE for your core faculty. If Faculty FTE does not meet or exceed requirements, you are at risk of a citation. Please refer to your specialty-specific requirements. |
Questions for Programs with Initial Accreditation only |
Please answer yes – Trainees have access to resources for self-screening, located on the Wellness webpage. |
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Please answer yes – trainees have access to GME Wellness Counselors and urgent and emergent care. |
Resident/Fellow Education and Experience |
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(Question only applicable to programs with Initial Accreditation) How are/will residents/fellows and faculty members be informed about their assignments, the responsibilities expected of each rotation, and the goals and objectives for each assignment? Check all the apply. | Please answer as appropriate for your program |
What other learners/other health care personnel will be/are sharing educational or clinical experiences with the program’s residents/fellows? Check all that apply. | Please answer as appropriate for your program |
(Question only applicable to programs with Initial Accreditation) Describe the process for residents/fellows to report problems and concerns at the program and Sponsoring Institution levels. The answer must include how the process ensures resident/fellow confidentiality, minimizes fear, investigates concerns, and, when appropriate, addresses such concerns. |
Please include the following potential avenues:
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Indicate what residents/fellows will be/are taught about pain management, including the recognition of the signs of substance-use disorder (SUD). Check all that apply. | Please answer as appropriate for your program. |
Independent Practice (Only applicable to Subspecialties that permit independent practice) | |
Does the program assign fellows to participate in independent practice (i.e., practice in their core specialty)? If yes, describe in a note on the block diagram. | Please answer no – UWSOM currently does not allow any programs to engage in independent practice. |
Faculty Development (Question only applicable to programs with Initial Accreditation) |
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Please answer as appropriate for your program. Of note, bi-annual Program Director Development Series (PDDS) events are designed to provide rotating training on these topics. Check the webpage for recent topics. |
Program Profile
ADS Question | Tips |
Program Information |
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Please answer as appropriate to your program. | |
Accreditation Information | |
Please answer as appropriate to your program. | |
Mission and Aims | |
Provide the program’s mission statement. | See UW Medicine’s Mission & Vision. |
(Question only for programs under Initial Accreditation) Provide four to six aims that the program uses to achieve its mission. |
Aims describe specific program efforts to achieve the mission. Examples: Residents spend at least six months in community-based rotations, primary site is a research-rich environment with many opportunities for fellow involvement, and program offers a range of options for faculty development and monitors faculty member participation. Resource: Improvement in Context: Exploring Aims, Improvement Priorities, and Environmental Considerations in a National Sample of Programs Using “Small Data” (Philibert, et al., JGME, 2017) |
Diversity |
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Describe how the program will achieve/ensure diversity in resident/fellow recruitment, selection, and retention. |
In your answer, please be sure to focus on the work that your program – rather than the department, school, hospital, etc. – is doing to advance diversity and inclusion for trainees. (See collected resources). You may cover how your program will or is supporting the work of the department, school, hospital, etc. (i.e. blocking time for faculty participation in EDI education delivered by UW) but the focus should be on your program’s own work. |
Describe how the program will achieve/ensure diversity in the individuals participating in the program (e.g. faculty members, administrative personnel). | In your answer, please be sure to focus on the work that your program – rather than the department, school, hospital, etc. – is doing to advance diversity in program staff, faculty, etc. |
Participating Sites Tab
List all participating sites that are physically located at different locations (e.g., two separate outpatient clinics within the same health system should be listed as two separate participating sites). However, if residents/fellows travel with a faculty member from a hospital to an outpatient clinical location on the same campus or within 30 minutes road travel time, the location should be considered part of the hospital participating site. The order and names of the sites listed should be consistent in ADS and on block diagrams. If you are unsure, or need to add/remove a site, please contact plas@uw.edu for guidance.
To update information for all sites, click “Edit” next to site name.
ADS QUESTION |
TIPS |
Is this a site for patient care? |
Please answer as appropriate for the site. |
Primary Clinical Site |
See primary clinical site section above for instructions. |
Required Rotation Do all residents rotate through this site |
Please answer as appropriate for the site, but please note, if at least some residents/fellows have required experiences at a participating site, please select “required rotation = yes.” If a participating site is used for only some residents/fellows, indicate “do all residents rotate through this site = no.” |
Program Letter of Agreement (PLA) exists between program and site |
Please answer as appropriate for the site. For the following sites, please select “N/A (site under governance of sponsoring institution).” See PLA page for more details.
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Program Letter of Agreement (PLA) Date |
If the answer to previous question “Program Letter of Agreement (PLA) exists between program and site?” is “Yes”, please be sure to list or update the effective date of the agreement. Please see instructions for viewing your active PLAs in MedHub (see “Viewing Active PLAs in MedHub”). If your PLA effective date is more than 5 years old, the agreement will need to be updated. See the process for renewing a PLA. |
Rotation Months |
Please provide an accurate amount of time trainees spend at each site. Entries may be whole numbers or decimals (i.e. to reflect half of a month, enter 0.5). If the total number of rotation months per year does not equate to 12 months for all sites combined, please provide an explanation in the comments section on the Sites tab. If your program has multiple tracks with different sites, please consult UW GME for guidance. Please make sure the number of rotation months at each site aligns with your block diagram (see instructions in the block diagram section). |
Distance to Primary Clinical Site |
Please answer as appropriate for the site. |
Briefly describe the content of the educational experience (addressing faculty coverage, volume/variety of clinical experience, site support and educational impact) |
Please cover the reasons that your program includes this educational site. Information should be specific to this site, and should not repeat information found elsewhere (i.e. block diagram). |
Site Director |
Please make sure the Site Director listed here matches the person listed on the site’s PLA. Update as appropriate. Please see instructions for viewing your active PLAs in MedHub (see “Viewing Active PLAs in MedHub”). |
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For UWMC-ML, UWMC-NW, HMC, SCH and the VA please select: Safe, quiet, clean, and private sleep/rest facilities available and accessible with proximity appropriate for safe patient care
For all other sites please look into available resources. Note that Common Program Requirements state that trainees must have access to food while on duty (I.D.2.a); rest facilities (I.D.2.b); lactation facilities (I.D.2.c); security and safety measures (I.D.2.d); and disability accommodations (I.D.2.e). For UW sites, please see Lactation Stations and look listings of refrigeration (click on “Map” for more information). Note: The ACGME has confirmed that a cooler meets the requirements for refrigeration. The GME Office has a number of coolers available to loan, if needed. |
Comments |
Please include any additional information that will help the review committee understand your educational experiences. |
Block Diagram
Programs must update their Block Diagram (see below) with all required experiences of 1+ months. If you have a missing site, please contact plas@uw.edu.
To update information for all sites, click “Edit” next to site name.
- How to Create an Effective Block Rotation Schedule. This brief video explains the purpose of a Block Rotation Schedule and highlights commonly made mistakes.
- Download ADS Block Rotation instructions listed in ADS. Some specialties may have Specialty Instructions, please see the Block Diagram section in the Site’s tab, or the Documents and Resources section for your specialty.
- Make sure to include a header with your program name and ACGME number!
- Vacation time provided should be listed either in the Notes section or in a block. Please also include a note with specifications around taking vacation time (i.e. vacation not allowed on Block 3, etc.). Please ensure to account for 28 days of vacation per the CBA.
- Remember, the block diagram should:
- Show that you are meeting your specialty-specific curricular requirements (CPR IV.C).
- Be a clear representation of your rotation schedule.
- Correspond with the rotation months that are listed in ADS in the Sites tab.
Resident/Fellow Information
Add Resident/Fellow
See “View Roster” tab below for detailed instructions on Resident Profiles.
Note: For programs in which residents are required to record Case Logs in ADS, ensure that new residents receive their ADS log-in information.
View Roster
If you have more trainees than your complement allows please review the GME Process for ACGME Trainee Complement Increase.
ADS QUESTION | TIPS |
Resident Information |
For new residents, fill in all resident/fellow data. If they have been in a previous ACGME program, click the “Verify Resident” button to find their previous profile. National Provider ID – If a resident/fellow does not have an NPI number, please wait to add them to the roster until received.* Social Security Number – If a resident/fellow does not have a SSN, please wait to add them to the roster until received.* *If the NPI or SSN will not available by your Annual Update deadline, please contact webADS@acgme.org prior to your deadline to request temporary placement codes. |
Resident Status | Select the appropriate status, make sure to update for any trainees who have graduated or left the program. |
Resident Details |
Please fill in all resident/fellow data. For continuing residents/fellows, make sure to update their year in program. If there are any extensions of trainings, make sure to update expected completion date. |
Comments |
For continuing residents/fellows, if there was an extension of training please address in the comments. |
Username |
For new trainees who have to do case log entry the ADS system will generate a username and alert trainee by email. Please be sure to alert your trainees that this email is coming. |
Scholarly Activity
Refer to your specialty-specific requirements for Resident Scholarly Activity requirements (CPR IV.D.3.).
Click “Edit” to update individual residents / fellows.
ADS QUESTION | TIPS |
Edit Scholarly Info | Follow instructions when listing Pub Med IDs, other publications, conferences presentations, chapters or textbooks and participation that occurred during the previous academic year. |
Certification
Faculty Information
Add Faculty
View Roster
Instructions on who to include in faculty roster are specialty-specific. Program Directors must review their specialty-specific requirements, and may add or remove faculty members at their discretion to ensure requirements are met.
Note: In subspecialty programs, all faculty members will be scheduled to receive the annual ACGME survey. In specialty programs only Core Faculty will receive the survey. It is important to ensure that faculty listed on the roster are familiar with the program.
Please make sure that the faculty listed meet all outlined requirements for your specialty.
Case log faculty do not need to be included in the roster.
All faculty member’s profiles must be reviewed and edited. To edit, hover over individual’s name and click “Edit” button. In addition, for Program Directors, please also edit the CV. To edit, hover over PD’s name and click “Edit CV” button. |
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ADS QUESTION | TIPS |
Faculty Profile |
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General Information |
Program Specific Title – Please update appropriately for all faculty members. NPI Number – Accurate NPI numbers allow for the automatic importation of faculty certification data (see Specialty Certification section below). Please verify the numbers for all faculty members. If a faculty member’s number is missing or unknown, use the “Search National Provider ID” link provided in ADS to find it.
Is this faculty member core? –
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Medical School | Please answer as appropriate for each faculty member. |
Specialty Certification |
As of June 2022 the ACGME now automatically imports faculty certification data from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA). For any newly entered or updated faculty or faculty NPI numbers, please allow 24 hours for data to import. If after this time the data is still missing or inaccurate, and faculty member’s name and NPI number have been verified, please manually enter certification data into ADS. To manually enter certification, click on “Specialty Certification – Manual Entries”:
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Area of Specialization (for non-physician faculty) |
A manual entry option is available and should be used to enter any certifications for non-physician faculty members. Under Area of Specialization, click “+Add” button to input missing data, including: area of specialization, name of certifying body, name of certificate, year of original certification, certification status, and specialization/certification clarification text box. Please note: missing data icon will appear for all US Non-physicians. |
Faculty Hours |
Please input an estimate of the hours that faculty dedicate to the program in each category. Note:
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Case Log Attending (if applicable) |
Please answer as appropriate for each faculty member. |
It’s very important to ensure that the PD’s profile and CV have been updated per instructions. |
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Program Director’s CV |
Graduate Medical Education – please edit as appropriate. Licensures – please edit as appropriate. Ensure that the expiration date is in the future. Academic Appointments – please edit as appropriate, do not exceed the last ten years. Concise Summary of Role/Responsibilities in Program – please update as appropriate. Make sure the current role in the program is mentioned. Current Professional Activities / Committees – please update as appropriate, do not exceed last five years or more than ten items. Bibliographies – please update as appropriate, do not exceed last five years or list more than ten items. All items listed should be from peer-reviewed publications. Do not include accepted articles that have not yet been published. Articles – please update as appropriate. Include review articles, chapters and/or textbooks. Do not exceed last five years or list more than ten items. Do not include accepted articles that have not yet been published. Participation in Local, Regional and National Activities / Presentations / Abstracts / Grants – please update as appropriate. Do not exceed last five years or list more than ten items. You may include scheduled activities that were canceled due to COVID-19. |
Scholarly Activity
See ACGME’s Avoiding Common Errors in the ADS Annual Update and review the “Entering Scholarly Activity into ADS Video”.
Each faculty member should either have scholarly activity listed or select “No Activity”. Refer to your specialty-specific requirements for details on required scholarly activity.
Click “Edit” to update individual Faculty Members.
ADS QUESTION | TIPS |
Edit Scholarly Info | Follow instructions when listing professional activities, selected peer reviewed publications, articles, chapters or textbooks and participation that occurred during the previous academic year. |
Which of the following domains has this faculty member demonstrated accomplishments in the previous academic year? | Please make sure that at least three domains are covered by the faculty as a group. (See CPR IV.D.2.a): Among their scholarly activity, programs must demonstrate accomplishments in at least three of the following domains.) |
Manage Core Faculty
Instructions on who to include in faculty roster are specialty-specific. Program Directors must review their specialty-specific requirements, and may add or remove faculty members at their discretion to ensure requirements are met.
Note: In subspecialty programs, all faculty members will be scheduled to receive the annual ACGME survey. In specialty programs only Core Faculty will receive the survey. It is important to ensure that faculty listed on the roster are familiar with the program.
To review requirements, on the “View Roster” tab click “Faculty Instructions”.
Finalizing and Submitting your ADS Update to the DIO
Per ACGME’s Institutional Requirements the DIO must oversee the submission of all ADS Annual Updates (I.A.5.b).(2)).
To allow adequate time for GME review and approval, programs will need to submit their annual updates ~3 weeks in advance of their ACGME deadline. Find your program-specific ACGME due date in ADS, in the top-right corner when on the Program Overview tab.
Upon submitting the Annual Update, ADS will trigger a message for the designated institutional official (DIO) or institutional coordinator to approve the update. GME can approve or return the update to program for edits. If returned, program must resubmit Annual Update in advance of ACGME assigned due date. If further updates are made later in the academic year, ADS will not trigger another message for DIO approval.
Instructions