Dayson Heart Center Receives Vascular Testing Accreditation
Good Samaritan Hospital Dayson Heart Center has once again received vascular testing accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) after undergoing a thorough review of its operational and technical operations by a panel of experts.
This recognition acknowledges Good Samaritan Hospital Dayson Heart Center’s delivery of quality care and testing to vascular patients. The term of the accreditation is three years in the areas of Extracranial Cerebrovascular Testing and Peripheral Venous Testing. Dayson Heart Center has received this accreditation since 1994.
IAC grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process and detailed case study review. “We are thrilled to receive such distinguished recognition,” stated Gerald Waldroup, Chief Operating Officer of Good Samaritan Hospital. “As a result of this continued accreditation, patients can be confident that Good Samaritan Hospital has made a commitment to continually enhance the quality of services provided to our patients.”
Julie Thomas, Director of Dayson Heart Center said IAC accreditation is a mark of excellence. “Patients and medical staff can rely on this accreditation as an indication that the facility has been carefully critiqued on all aspects of its operations considered relevant by medical experts in the field of vascular testing,” she said.
Echo/Vascular Lab Supervisor Chris Vieke added that being accredited holds the heart center’s lab to a higher standard. “Some insurance carriers require testing to be done in an accredited lab for reimbursement purposes, and we are proud that we can offer these accredited services to those in our community,” he stated.
Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in the United States. On average, one American dies every 39 seconds of cardiovascular disease – disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Stroke, a disorder of the blood supply to the brain, is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the country, with nearly 800,000 new strokes occurring annually. According to the American Heart Association, the total direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular disease and stroke in the U.S. for 2010 was an estimated $503.2 billion.
Early detection of life threatening heart disorders, stroke and other diseases is possible through the use of vascular testing procedures, like those performed at Good Samaritan Hospital. While these tests are helpful, there are many facets that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on vascular testing. The skill of the technologist performing the examination, the type of equipment used, the background and knowledge of the interpreting physician and quality assurance measures are each critical to quality patient testing.
