Echocardiography and Vascular Testing earn reaccreditation

HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital and Prairie Heart Institute at HSHS St. Anthony’s have attained recognition for demonstrating their ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care in echocardiography and vascular testing, respectively. 

HSHS St. Anthony’s cardiovascular services department has been granted a three-year term of reaccreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Echocardiography in the area of Adult Transthoracic. Likewise, Prairie Heart Institute at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital’s vascular laboratory has been granted a three-year term of reaccreditation by the IAC in Vascular Testing in the areas of Visceral Vascular Testing, Peripheral Venous Testing, Extracranial Cerebrovascular Testing and Peripheral Arterial Testing. 

Early detection of life-threatening heart disorders, stroke and other diseases is possible through echocardiography and vascular testing procedures performed within hospitals, outpatient centers and physicians’ offices. Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. On average, one American dies every 34 seconds of cardiovascular disease – disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Stroke, a disorder of the blood supply to the brain, is the leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the country, with nearly 800,000 strokes occurring annually. 

“There are many factors that contribute to providing high-quality echocardiographic and vascular studies for our patients,” said Angela Kelly, director of surgical services and cardiovascular services at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital. “We have worked diligently to ensure the highest level of training and expertise of both our cardiac sonographer performing the echocardiograms and the vascular sonographer performing the vascular studies. Along with the presence of our highly trained and experienced Prairie Heart cardiologists on-site, we also offer the latest in testing machines and equipment for accurate and quick diagnosis, so residents can be assured they are receiving advanced, compassionate heart care close to home.” 

IAC accreditation is a “seal of approval” that patients can rely on as an indicator of consistent quality care and a commitment to continuous improvement. Accreditation by the IAC indicates that HSHS St. Anthony’s cardiovascular services department and Prairie Heart Institute at HSHS St. Anthony’s vascular laboratory have undergone an intensive application and review process and is found to be in compliance with the published Standards, thus demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care in echocardiography and vascular testing, respectively. Comprised of a detailed self-evaluation followed by a thorough review by a panel of medical experts, the IAC accreditation process enables both the critical operational and technical components of the applicant facility to be assessed, including representative case studies and their corresponding final reports.