The Echocardiography Lab at MCMC Receives Echocardiography Accre
By Kevin
Wei
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. The American
Heart Association estimates that the direct and indirect cost for cardiovascular
disease in the U.S. for 2010 was $503.2 billion.
Early detection of life threatening heart disorders and other diseases
is possible through the use of Echocardiography procedures performed within
hospitals, outpatient centers and physicians’ offices. While these
tests are helpful, there are many facets that contribute to an accurate
diagnosis based on Echocardiography testing. The skill of the Echocardiography
sonographer 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.
Our Echocardiography Laboratory has been granted a three-year term of accreditation
in Echocardiography in the areas of Adult Transthoracic by the Intersocietal
Accreditation Commission (IAC).
Accreditation by the IAC means that our Echocardiography Laboratory has
undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components
by a panel of experts. The 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 including
detailed case study review.
“By adhering to the IAC standards we can ensure our patients that
they are getting a high quality, diagnostic exam that will help guide
their care,” said Christopher Mlakar, Echo Sonographer at MCMC |
OHSU Cardiology.
IAC accreditation is a “seal of approval” that patients can
rely on 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 Echocardiography. When scheduled for an Echocardiography
procedure, patients are encouraged to inquire as to the accreditation
status of the facility where their examination will be performed and can
learn more by visiting
www.intersocietal.org/echo/main/patients.htm