Reid Health honored for long-time commitment to high-quality vascular testing

Oct. 11, 2024 -- Reid Health was recognized recently for its efforts to continuously improve patient outcomes and safety in vascular testing for more than two decades.

IAC Vascular Testing, a national accreditation program, awarded Reid's Heart and Vascular Services team with a Silver Milestone Recognition for earning and maintaining accreditation for 25 years.

Every three years, accredited facilities undergo an intensive application and review process to re-earn accreditation, with an assessment conducted by a panel of medical experts. The IAC process enables both the critical operational and technical components of the facility to be assessed, including case studies and their final reports.

"We first became accredited in 1997 to organize and standardize our vascular testing. Since then, we've improved our protocols and the overall technical competency of our staff," said Holly Applegate, RVT, RT, Technical Director of Reid Health's Vascular Ultrasound department.

"Maintaining vascular accreditation has ensured consistency of high-quality patient care and our facility's commitment to excellence."

Early detection of life-threatening heart disorders, stroke, and other diseases is possible through vascular testing. Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, one person dies every 33 seconds in this country from cardiovascular disease. Stroke is a leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the U.S., with nearly 800,000 strokes occurring annually.

IAC accreditation assesses the many factors that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on vascular testing. The training and experience of the technologist 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.

"Our vascular sonographer and surgery teams have worked so hard for this honor," said Misti Foust-Cofield, Vice President/Chief Nursing Office for Reid Health. "It's wonderful to see their dedication to providing their patients the very best care possible be recognized nationally."

"Maintaining vascular accreditation has ensured consistency of high-quality patient care and our facility's commitment to excellence." -- Holly Applegate, Technical Director of Reid Health's Vascular Ultrasound department

Patients, referring physicians, and insurers look for the IAC seal of accreditation as the gold standard in the field of vascular testing. Facilities that achieve IAC accreditation demonstrate a clear indicator they provide a high-quality level of patient care.

"We are proud to recognize long-time accredited vascular testing facilities through the milestone recognition program," said IAC CEO Mary Lally, MS, CAE. "Since first granting accreditation in 1991 as the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories, we (now IAC Vascular Testing) have helped thousands of facilities standardize the processes to provide better patient care and improved outcomes.

"The recognized facilities are true champions of accreditation. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care using accreditation as a quality metric.

"These facilities' ongoing commitment to quality patient care is an example for other healthcare providers to follow. It is a reminder of the importance of putting patients first and striving to continuously improve the quality of care provided."

Several studies have demonstrated the impact of IAC accreditation on patient care. Research suggests accreditation identifies areas for improvement, resulting in increased quality of images and interpretation through standardized reporting and improvement programs. Visit www.intersocietal.org/research to learn more.

About IAC

The IAC is a nonprofit organization in operation to evaluate and accredit facilities that provide diagnostic imaging and interventional-based procedures, thus improving the quality of patient care provided in private offices, clinics, and hospitals where such services are performed. The IAC provides accreditation programs for vascular testing, echocardiography, nuclear/PET, MRI, CT/dental CT, carotid stenting, vascular interventional, cardiac electrophysiology, and cardiovascular catheterization. The IAC programs for accreditation are dedicated to ensuring quality patient care and promoting healthcare and all support one mission: Improving healthcare through accreditation®. Committed to its mission through a rigorous process, the IAC has granted accreditation to more than 14,000 sites since its inception in 1991. To learn more about IAC, visit www.intersocietal.org.