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What is IMPAC? |
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IMPAC, Inc. is dedicated to the promotion of client/guest safety and quality improvement in the spa industry including day spas, destination spas, medi-spas, medical spas and physician practice spas.
IMPAC, Inc is an accreditation company located in the United States. As an accreditation company, we develop quality
standards for specific industries and offer accreditation based on those standards. The IMPAC quality standards are the ‘gold
standard’ for the industry and are reviewed by members of the Advisory Panel.
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Why should my Spa seek IMPAC accreditation? |
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The Spa industry is growing and crossing over into some traditional health and medicine fields. As the Spa industry expands, there is increased interest by state regulators, healthcare regulators, and consumer protection groups. High profile medical errors also increase scrutiny on the industry.
Accreditation provides clients and guests with an assurance that the Spa has met essential quality standards. IMPAC Accreditation differentiates a Spa in a very competitive market place. A Spa with IMPAC Accreditation has met the highest standards for quality and customer service.
The Spa industry may also want to think about demanding accreditation for Spas as a vehicle to promote excellence and to avoid outside regulation by government or healthcare agencies.
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How does the client or guest know that a Spa is accredited? |
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IMPAC accredited Spas receive an IMPAC seal when they are accredited. The Spa can display the IMPAC seal on their website and on any marketing materials. The IMPAC Accreditation certificate can be displayed in the Spa
Clients and guests can also go to the IMPAC website, www.impacsurvey.org, and click on Consumer Information to get a complete list of IMPAC accredited Spas. Clients and guests can also call 1-800-677-7019 during normal business hours for a complete list of accredited Spas.
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Who is eligible for an IMPAC Accreditation Survey? |
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Spas anywhere in the United States or abroad are eligible to apply for IMPAC Accreditation. Because Spas vary in type and scope of services, three categories of Spas are defined by IMPAC. These categories determine the applicable IMPAC Spa Standards and the cost of the survey. The three categories of Spas are as follows:
Day Spa or Destination Spa: A Day Spa or Destination Spa provides wellness and beauty services that do not require physician oversight or direction. A Day Spa or Destination Spa may provide what is classified as traditional spa services, such as massage, pedicures, manicures, facials, microdermabrasion, and/or Reiki.
Medi-Spa: A Medi-Spa provides wellness and beauty services where some of those services required physician oversight and direction. Examples of services that require physician oversight and direction are laser treatments, chemical peels, and advanced microdermabrasion.
Physician Practice Spa: A Physician Practice Spa or Medical and Wellness Spa provides medical and health procedures and wrap-around spa services. Examples of Physician Practice Spas are a cosmetic dermatologist’s and/or plastic surgeon’s practice with the services of a medical esthetician.
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What is the cost for an IMPAC Accreditation Survey? |
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The cost for IMPAC Accreditation varies with the type of Spa and the services provided. The fee for an IMPAC Accreditation Survey for a Day Spa or Destination Spa is $1,500. The fee for an IMPAC Accreditation Survey for a Medi-Spa is $4,500. The fee for an IMPAC Accreditation Survey for a Physician Practice Spa or Wellness and Medical Spa ranges from $9,000 to $15,000 depending on the scope of invasive procedures and anesthesia provided on-site. For all surveys, the travel expenses of the surveyors are reimbursed by the Spa.
The first payment is half of the fee and is due at least 30 days prior to the IMPAC Accreditation Survey. The remaining fee plus reimbursement for the surveyors’ travel expenses is due before the final accreditation report.
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What is the IMPAC Accreditation Survey process? |
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The IMPAC Accreditation Survey is conducted by an esthetician surveyor and an administrative
surveyor on-site at the Spa. A physician surveyor and/or a nurse surveyor may be added if the Spa
does extensive invasive procedures and/or anesthesia on-site. The Day Spa or Destination Spa
Survey is less than a full day. The Medi-Spa Survey is usually a full day. The Physician Practice
or Wellness and Medical Spa is usually two days.
The survey includes a review of documents and
policies; interviews with the staff and physicians, if applicable; inspection of the facility;
observation of work processes; and review of human resource files. At the end of the survey,
there is a verbal preliminary report. Within two weeks of the survey, the mailorder pharmacy will
receive a Written Summary of Findings and any recommendations. |
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What is the scope of the IMPAC Accreditation Survey? |
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The IMPAC Accreditation Survey is based on the IMPAC Spa Standards and includes the full scope of the Spa industry as follows:
Quality of Client/ Guest Services: There are processes in place to assure the quality of client/guest services.
Competency, Licensure, Registration and Credentials of Physicians and Staff: The physicians and staff providing client/guest services are competent and credentialed to provide those services.
Client/Guest Care and Safety: The client/guest receives appropriate services and is not harmed.
Guest/Client Satisfaction: The quality of services is measured and determined by the satisfaction of the client/guest.
Facility Management and Sanitation: The facility is clean and is managed to protect the client’s/guest’s privacy, to avoid or reduce infection, and to insure the client’s/guest’s comfort.
Confidentiality and Privacy of Client/Guest Information: The privacy of the client/guest information is protected.
Marketing: The marketing of the Spa will be transparent.
The IMPAC Spa Standards will be tailored to meet the services provided by the Spa. For example, if the services provided are not done by a physician or overseen by a physician, then all of the physician credentialing standards are noted as not applicable.
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How is IMPAC Accreditation earned? |
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The Spa must be in 100% compliance with the IMPAC Spa Standards and the compliance must be fully verified during the survey. When the Spa is in full compliance, it earns the IMPAC Accreditation.
If the Spa is found in 75% compliance with the IMPAC Spa Standards during the survey and there are no client/guest safety issues, the Spa will be given recommendations for the standards not met. The Spa has 90 days to submit evidence that meets the standards. If they are in full compliance within the 90 days, the Spa will earn IMPAC accreditation.
If the Spa is found with less than 75% compliance with IMPAC Spa Standards or if there are client/guest safety issues, the Spa will not earn IMPAC accreditation. The Spa can re-apply for an IMPAC Accreditation Survey after a six month waiting period.
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How long is the IMPAC Accreditation term for Spas? |
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The IMPAC Accreditation term is two years.
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