14 points of the accm distinction program

1. Leadership Commitment to Operational Integrity 

– The participating "Distinction Member" establishes, implements, and maintains an effective performance management system that drives improvement of operational integrity. Management builds a culture of operational integrity and communicates expectations by documenting policies, goals, and commitments, as well as identifying responsibilities of personnel at all levels.

2. System Establishment, Assessment and Continuous Improvement 

– The "Distinction Member" establishes targets for its performance management system and implements a process to periodically evaluate its work with system elements and progress toward operational integrity goals. The "Distinction Member" uses the evaluation results to take actions to address non-conformity and continuously improve its performance management  system and drive operational integrity.

3. Planning and Risk Management 

– The "Distinction Member" identifies potential challenges, assesses risk, determines and implements mitigating measures, and communicates required actions to affected personnel.

4. Patient/Product Interaction and Integrity

– The "Distinction Member" manages the integrity of is patients and products so they are consistent with professional purpose and practice consistent with their State(s).

-Patient and Customer Integrity – Patient and customer operating systems and components are designed to operate in ways consistent with specified practices of each State program, and applicable professional standards. Existing systems are upgraded, serviced and maintained to operate consistent with specified requirements, recognized engineering practices, and applicable standards. 

-Product Management Integrity- The "Distinction Member" implements a process or method for management of medical cannabis products integrity that is consistent professional medical standards along with the specified requirements, practices, and applicable standards set forth by the State(s) the member operates in. 

5. Operational Controls

– The "Distinction Member" develops and implements controls including procedures, practices, and/or training to maintain operational integrity.

6. Safe Work Management 

– The "Distinction Member" establishes, documents and executes processes, procedures, and practices to maintain control of work and to minimize potential risk to people, the environment and property.

7. Management of Change 

– The "Distinction Member" implements a process to manage changes that can affect operational integrity, including initiating actions, required analysis, and necessary approvals prior to any introduction of changes. Changes can include changes in processes, equipment, and personnel.

8. Knowledge, Skills, and Training

 – The "Distinction Member" implements a process to define required knowledge and skills and executes training such that individuals who make operational integrity decisions can perform their assigned roles and tasks.

9. Relationship Management 

– The "Distinction Member" establishes requirements and implements processes to plan, coordinate, and execute work with partner organizations in adherence with performance management system targets.

10. Incident Investigation, Evaluation, and Lessons Learned 

– The "Distinction Member" investigates integrity incidents to identify causes and implements actions to mitigate future incidents.

11. Emergency Preparedness and Response

 – The "Distinction Member" prepares for and responds to emergency situations using preparedness plans and procedures that are accessible and communicated to relevant personnel, customers, partners, patients, emergency responders, and community members.

12. Integrity Management Information 

– The "Distinction Member" implements processes for the identification, distribution, and control of critical information related to operating and maintaining operational integrity.

13. Stakeholder Engagement

 – The "Distinction Member" develops and implements a process to communicate its commitment to operational integrity to Stakeholders through engagement with employees, regulators, legislators, patients, community members, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.

14. Patient Customer Engagement

– The "Distinction Member" develops and implements a process to communicate its commitment to operational integrity to Patients through engagement with employees, regulators, legislators, patients, community members, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.