SRMC Cardiology Lab Reaccredited By ICAEL

WAYNESBURG – Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. At Southwest Regional Medical Center, physicians and sonographers work with the latest technology to provide patients with cutting-edge cardiology care to effectively diagnose cardiac disease before it becomes life threatening.

Southwest Regional’s cardiology laboratory recently received reaccreditation through the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories. The cardiology lab received initial accreditation three years ago. Accreditation means that services have met the high standards set by ICAEL and patients can expect services to be performed at a high level in keeping with these standards.

“It shows that we value the quality of our work in the echo lab, and that we perform exceptional echocardiograms equal to or above what other hospitals offer,” said Cardiology Director Sheryl Wilkinson.

The ICAEL has developed an accreditation program that evaluates the quality of the equipment and operators, as well as other critical elements in the echocardiography laboratory. Accreditation is voluntary and recognizes laboratories that provide quality echocardiograph diagnostic evaluations. Accreditation status signifies that the facility has been reviewed by an independent agency that recognizes the laboratory’s commitment to quality testing for the diagnosis of heart disease.

“The ICAEL set standards that include making sure echocardiograms are performed with a good visual field that allows a cardiologist to read the study with accuracy,” said Wilkinson. “Additionally, the ICAEL mandates compliance with all sonographers and cardiologists to achieve a minimum amount of continuing education and experience to maintain competence in interpretation and performance of echocardiograms.”

Echocardiograph testing can detect different types of heart disease in patients, and it is the standard noninvasive test used in cardiology. At Southwest Regional Medical Center, this is just one of the many noninvasive tests used to help diagnose, treat and prevent heart disease.

“The Cardiology staff at SRMC is full of highly skilled professionals who take pride in providing patients with the best possible testing and care, which is something I am very proud of,” said Wilkinson. “It is wonderful as a manager to have the kind of staff that I do. They come to work prepared every day, take pride in their jobs, are responsible for themselves and their performance and are self-motivated to achieve the highest quality. The ICAEL is just one step taken to prove this, so everyone can share in my pride.”