News

The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Echocardiography Department has been granted a three-year term of accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Echocardiography in the area(s) of Adult Transthoracic and Adult Transesophageal.

Accreditation by the IAC means that the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Echocardiography Department has 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. 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.

Echocardiography is used to assess different areas of the heart and can detect heart disease or signs of serious cardiovascular conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. On average, one American dies every 34 seconds of cardiovascular disease – disorders of the heart and blood vessels.

There are many factors that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on echocardiography. The training and experience of the sonographer 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 commitment to continuous improvement.

Information courtesy of the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission