The Journal of ExtraCorporeal Technology No 57-1 | 页面 57

B . Johnson : J Extra Corpor Technol 2025 , 57 , 50--52 51

Table 1 . Comparison of degree type and application cost for Perfusion Education Programs in the United States

Millions of prospective students apply to colleges annually through a wide variety of admission mechanisms . In some countries , such as Japan and the United States , admissions are decentralized , in the sense that students apply to each college separately [ 10 , 11 ]. In other countries , such as Germany and Brazil , the application and admission process is centralized , and students are assigned to colleges through clearinghouse systems [ 10 , 11 ]. The use of a CAS clearinghouse has resulted in profound changes in the post-secondary education market by mitigating several application challenges .

Over the last three decades , over 40,000 educational programs have successfully managed admissions through CAS technology [ 12 ]. This system simplifies the application process for students by lowering search costs and providing a central platform with information about majors , institutions , and locations . Various CAS platforms are available , catering to fields such as medicine , law , dental , pharmacy , physical therapy , and more [ 13 ]. In fact , one current PEP utilizes a CAS known as the Allied Health Centralized Application Service ( AHCAS ) [ 14 ].

AHCAS simplifies the application process for allied health programs [ 15 ]. After prospective applicants select the programs they wish to apply to , they can submit a single application containing all required materials , such as fees , exam scores , transcripts , and other documents . Once AHCAS receives the application and materials , they may undergo a verification process . This process ensures that all necessary components are included and the application is complete , saving time and effort for both applicants and the PEPs .

As of 2024 , the average application cost for all PEPs was $ 66.17 , based on a total of $ 1,522 for twenty-three applications

( Table 1 ). If prospective applicants use CASs like AHCAS to apply the same twenty-three PEPs , the average cost drops significantly to $ 45.22 , totaling $ 1,040 for all applications . This substantial cost reduction is attributed to the CAS ’ spricing structure , which charges $ 72 for the first program applied to and $ 44 for each additional program . However , it is essential to note that if prospective applicants apply to only one PEP , their costs would be higher through AHCAS because the savings are only realized when applying to two or more PEPs .

Conclusion

The evolution of the perfusion profession over the past few decades has been marked by significant advancements in education and practice , primarily driven by technological innovations and an increasing demand for qualified perfusionists . The introduction of CASs offers a promising solution to streamline the application process for perfusion education programs . By simplifying the application procedure and reducing costs , CASs may attract more candidates into the field , addressing the growing need for skilled professionals . As the number of accredited programs and graduates continues to rise , implementing such systems could further strengthen the perfusion profession and ensure that it meets the demands of the evolving healthcare landscape . Embracing these changes will be critical for the ongoing growth and sustainability of perfusion education and practice in the United States .

Funding The author received no funding to complete this research .