Definition
The EAN Scientific Panel of Neurosonology decided to establish a Network of European Reference Centers in Neurosonology (ERN^Sono) in 2016. This network is designed as a reference network, which works in close cooperation with the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics [WON/ESNCH]). The Executive Committee of the WON/ESNCH has decided during the annual meeting in Berlin 2017 to join and to support this initiative.

Purpose
Neurosonology is an outstanding diagnostic instrument in the hand of clinical neurologists with unique selling points such as specific imaging technology, high spatial resolution, online observation, noninvasiveness as well as broad and easy availability in the clinical routine all over Europe. Beside “traditional” vascular neurology, currently new fields of application such as muscle and nerve imaging, orbital ultrasound and online monitoring techniques in intensive care are booming.
There is a definite need for a well-structured clinical network to seek for further technical progress, to offer a profound education and training program, to test the usefulness of ultrasound in new fields, to implement it in clinical trials and to foster the application of sonography in daily practice.
The EAN as the leading neurological society in Europe in concert with the WON/ESNCH as the leading society in the field of neurosonology offer now the unique opportunity to launch the ERN^Sono.

Certification of the European Reference Centers in Neurosonology: Certification of the European Reference Centers in Neurosonology (ERN^Sono Certification) is a protocol granted by the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) in cooperation with the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics (WON/ESNCH) according to which the centers that meet criteria of the highest quality performance in neurosonology techniques by an experienced team, a routine link to clinical network, and conditions to offer good education and training programs will become members of the Network of European Reference Centers in Neurosonology (ERN^Sono).

Granting Authority: Steering Committee of the European Academy of Neurology Scientific Panel (SP) Neurosonology and the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics Executive Committee (EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee). EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee: The Committee analyses if the application meets all the criteria of the ERN^Sono, and is constituted by 3 members, 2 from the EAN SP Neurosonology and 1 from the WON/ESNCH Executive Committee. Steering Committee members may conduct ad hoc visits to randomly selected ERN^Sono Centers or candidate centers in order to supervise the working protocols or fulfillment of requested criteria of excellence.

Supervisory Authority: Chair of the Management Group of the EAN Scientific Panel Neurosonology and the President of the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics are supervising the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee process of the ERN^Sono certification. Both authorities have a possibility to exercise the power of veto for each EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee decision.

Duration of mandate for the members of the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee: Four years

Election of the members of the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee: Two members of the Committee are elected during the EAN Congress SP Neurosonology meeting, being elected alternately every 2 years in the even year. The candidate is elected by a simple majority of the members of the SP of Neurosonology. One member of the committee is elected during the WON/ESNCH Meeting every 4 years in the odd year. The candidate is elected by a simple majority of the members of the WON/ESNCH Executive Committee

Revocation of a member of the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee: Revocation is possible at member´s own request, at the request of any member of the EAN Scientific Panel of Neurosonology or of the WON/ESNCH Executive Committee. The revocation has to be approved by an absolute majority of the members of the EAN SP Neurosonology or the WON/ESNCH Executive Committee, resp. Criteria for the ERN^Sono and Application Form: The Management Group of EAN SP created the Criteria for the ERN^Sono Certification (see Criteria for the ERN^Sono Certification document) in cooperation with WON/ESNCH Executive Committee. The Criteria for the ERN^Sono Certification has been approved by EAN and WON/ESNCH. The EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee ensures the availability of the Application Form on the EAN and WON/ESNCH websites and during the EAN and WON/ESNCH congresses.

Application Form changes: The changes in the Criteria for the ERN^Sono Certification can be proposed by any member of the EAN Scientific Panel of Neurosonology and the Executive Committee of the WON/ESNCH and approved by simple majority of the EAN SP Neurosonology and simple majority of Executive Committee of WON/ESNCH. After that the final approval will be done by EAN.

Application for the ERN^Sono Certificate: The application is valid only when all the required data in the Application Form are filled in. A valid Application Form with other necessary documents should be submitted by e-mail to: EANernsono@gmail.com (Subject: ERN^Sono Application Form). Confirmation of receipt will be send back within 30 consecutive days. Evaluation of the Application: The EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee will assess whether the Applicant center has met all the criteria or not within the next 30 consecutive days.

Applications Approval: When passing the criteria, the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee will send the Application to the Chairperson of the Management Group of EAN SP Neurosonology and to the President of the WON/ESNCH Executive Committee to approve the certification. They should approve the Certification within 20 consecutive days.

Certificate: After approval of the certification by both Chairpersons, the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee will send the Certificate to the applicant within 20 consecutive days.

Certificate validity: 5 years

Re-certification: The Applicant will send the Application Form to the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee at the latest on the expiration date of the Certification 5-year validity period. The EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee will assess whether the applicant has still met all the criteria within 30 consecutive days. When passing the criteria, the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee will send the Certification to the Applicant and inform the Chairpersons of SP Neurosonology and WON/ESNCH Executive Committee.

Cancellation of Certification: In the case of false data in the Application Form, Certification should not be granted to the Applicant for the next 3 years. If the filled false data in the Application Form will be found after approval of the Certification the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee is entitled to withdraw the Certification without delay.

Appeal against a decision of the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee: Appeal against a decision of the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee not to grant or to withdraw the Certification may be send to the Chairman of the EAN SP Neurosonology within 20 consecutive days of delivery of the decision. The Chairperson may re-open the EAN / WON/ESNCH Steering Committee request within 30 consecutive days if the appeal is justified. Upon unsuccessful application, the applicant may file a new application after 12 months from the decision. In the case of false data in the Application Form, the applicant may send a new Application Form after at least 36 months after receiving the decision.