MDH Cardiopulmonary Department Earns Reaccreditation

Pictured (L-R): Vascular Sonographer Nicki Hawkins, RDMS, RVT, RDCS, RT (R); MDH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Edwin Card; and Dr. Irving Schwartz, Blessing Health System Cardiologist

MACOMB, Ill. – The McDonough District Hospital Cardiopulmonary Department earned reaccreditation through the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Echocardiography in the area of Adult Transthoracic, and also reaccreditation in Vascular Testing in the areas of Extracranial Cerebrovascular and Peripheral Venous Testing.

MDH’s reaccreditation covers a three-year term.

The accreditations awarded to the MDH Cardiopulmonary Department demonstrate the facility’s ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care in echocardiography and vascular testing. It highlights 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.

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.

There are many factors that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on echocardiography and vascular testing. The training and experience of the technologist performing the procedure, the type of equipment used and the quality assessment metrics each facility is required to measure, all contribute to a positive patient outcome. IAC accreditation is a “Seal of Approval” that patients can rely on as an indicator of consistent, quality care and a dedication to continuous improvement.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, followed closely by stroke. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), more than 2,150 Americans die each day from cardiovascular disease which amounts to about one every 40 seconds. Early detection of life-threatening heart disorders, stroke, and other diseases is possible through the use of vascular testing procedures.

“The vascular lab at McDonough District Hospital recently was reaccredited for another three-year period. The accreditation process is very thorough and ensures the highest quality testing and interpretation possible. This is a remarkable achievement for a hospital our size and should reassure everyone in the community that they can get high-quality care without having to leave town,” said MDH Chief Medical Officer Edwin Card, MD.

About IAC

IAC provides accreditation programs for vascular testing, echocardiography, nuclear/PET, MRI, diagnostic CT, dental CT, carotid stenting, vein treatment and management and cardiac electrophysiology. The IAC programs for accreditation are dedicated to ensuring quality patient care and promoting health care and all support one common mission: Improving health care through accreditation®. IAC accreditation is widely respected in the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to echocardiography, which include physicians and sonographers. To date, the IAC accrediting divisions have granted accreditation to more than 14,000 sites throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

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