St. Luke's Cardiology and CVA receive Echocardiography accreditation by IAC

UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Cardiology and Cardiovascular Associates, PC (CVA), which includes 12 outreach clinics, has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in Echocardiography in the area of Adult Transthoracic, Adult Stress by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). As the only accredited program in Sioux City, this marks the fourth consecutive three-year accreditation awarded to St. Luke’s Cardiology and CVA since 2008.

Accreditation by the IAC means that St. Luke’s Cardiology and CVA 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 Echocardiography. IAC accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to Echocardiography, which includes physicians and sonographers.

Early detection of life threatening heart disorders and other diseases is possible through the use of Echocardiography 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 Echocardiography testing. The skill of the Echocardiography sonographer performing the examination, the type of equipment used, the background and knowledge of the interpreting physician and quality measures are each critical to quality patient testing.

Echocardiography 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 Echocardiography procedures are performed within accredited facilities, because for many facilities accreditation remains a voluntary process.