Echocardiography is used to assess different areas of the heart and can detect heart disease or signs of serious conditions. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, followed closely by stroke as the fourth highest cause of death. According to the American Heart Association, more than 2,150 Americans die each day from cardiovascular disease which amounts to about one every 40 seconds.
 
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 dedication to continuous improvement.
 
Houston Medical Center has been granted an additional three-year term for accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission in Echocardiography in the area of Adult Transthoracic. This latest accreditation awarded to Houston Medical Center demonstrates the facility’s ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care in echocardiography.
 
Accreditation by IAC indicates that Houston Medical Center has undergone an intensive application and review process and is found to be in compliance with the published Standards. 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.
 
“The accreditation isn’t commonly done by hospitals such as ours. In fact, we are the only hospital in nearly a 50 mile radius to receive the accreditation,” shares Ray Jones, Associate Director, Cardiovascular Services for Houston Healthcare. “We are dedicated to providing quality care to our patients and their families. The reaccreditation means we are working daily to ensure our patients are cared for in a safe environment. It’s all part of our commitment to providing our community with processes, procedures, and services that can assist in treating heart issues and saving lives.”