Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 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 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 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.
Atlantic General Hospital’s Vascular Laboratory located in Berlin,
Md., has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in vascular testing
in the areas of extracranial cerebrovascular testing, peripheral arterial
testing, and peripheral venous testing by the Intersocietal Accreditation
Commission (IAC).
Accreditation by the IAC means that Atlantic General Hospital’s Vascular
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.
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 vascular testing. When scheduled for a vascular testing
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/vascular/main/patients.htm.
IAC accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, as
illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to
vascular testing, which include physicians, technologists and sonographers.
Vascular testing accreditation is required in some states and regions
by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and by some private insurers.
However, patients should remain vigilant in making sure that their vascular
testing procedures are performed within accredited facilities, because
for many facilities it remains a voluntary process.
About Atlantic General Hospital
Atlantic General Hospital has been providing quality health care to the
residents of Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset (Md.) and Sussex (Del.) Counties
since May 1993. Built by the commitment and generosity of a dedicated
community, the hospital’s state-of-the-art facility in Berlin, Md.
combines old-fashioned personal attention with the latest in technology
and services. Atlantic General Health System, its network of more than
25 primary care provider and specialist offices, care for residents and
visitors throughout the region. For more information about Atlantic General
Hospital, visit
www.atlanticgeneral.org.