WOLFAP

Introduction
In January 2007 WOLFAP was inaugurated at the ARTP Conference in Glasgow, Scotland by a group of experienced, senior lung function experts who have high national and international profiles within their field. The key aim of the meeting was to determine a way forward to produce an international lung function assessment process that would become a benchmark accreditation for all laboratories around the world. The success of WOLFAP will ultimately be reflected by a high standard in the quality of lung function measurements world-wide (see Appendix 1: Notes of WOLFAP Meeting).

The key outcomes of this meeting were;

1. Out of the three options brought to the meeting, the group agreed to work up the Accreditation initiative (WOLFAP) first. 
2. The Accreditation umbrella would cover training, competence, standards and quality as the key priorities.
3. The accreditation model devised would be centred on the current materials we have available from participating professional bodies (especially TSANZ, AARC, ARTP).
4. The Accreditation process would be inclusive, performance based, not prescriptive and approved by all interested stakeholders.
5. Any international examinations (ISDL or GLFDL) would be a minimum level of training and not the sole training requirement for competent practitioners.
6. This group will be driven by healthcare scientists, physiologists and technologists and will consult with physician colleagues at the appropriate stages.

Accreditation of respiratory function services is, at present, voluntary in a few countries around the world. In 2006, Lung Function accreditation was made mandatory by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians for all respiratory departments within Australia and New Zealand that act as training sites for Respiratory Physicians. The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) have an established accreditation process to foster excellence in the approach to assessment of respiratory function. There are separate accreditation guidelines for adult and paediatric lung function laboratories and sleep assessment laboratories. The Netherlands and the UK have outline accreditation schemes which are in development but most have not been implemented.

The process seeks to define uniform minimum standards for services. The process is aimed at assessing the service's organisation and administration, staffing and direction, policies and procedures, staff development & education, facilities & equipment, and quality assurance programmes. Its general approach is influenced by programmes established by national standards from participating countries.

The development of an  internationally agreed accreditation process, based on current  international standards may  be beneficial to those laboratories (or countries) who have not  had involvement in accreditation, i.e they will not need to reinvent the wheel. Furthermore, by adopting accepted international guidelines there will be more harmonisation as laboratories prepare their applications for accreditation.  

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