MDH Cardiopulmonary Receives Recognition

McDonough District Hospital Cardiopulmonary Department recently attained recognition after an extensive review for their commitment to quality diagnostic testing.

One American dies every 32 seconds from cardiovascular disease, disorders of the heart and blood vessels. MDH has state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and highly trained staff in the Cardiopulmonary Department who provide vascular studies and echocardiography examinations to diagnose many types of heart and blood vessel diseases.

The non-invasive vascular lab achieved accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL). During the accreditation process, every aspect of the laboratory’s daily operations is assessed and reviewed. Voluntary participation in the accreditation process demonstrates the Cardiopulmonary Department’s attention to a high level of patient care and quality testing.

Cardiopulmonary Director, Debbie Jessen, was also recently notified that they have been granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL). Echocardiography is a complex imaging technique that relies on the experience and training of both the physician and sonographer. Their interpretive and technical abilities determine the diagnostic accuracy of an echocardiographic examination. MDH is one of the first 1,000 echocardiography laboratories in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico to be so recognized for this achievement.

The Cardiopulmonary Department has maintained both of these accreditations since 1999, with a full review every three years. The review consists of national experts in the fields of echocardiography and non-invasive vascular medicine reviewing actual studies for quality, accuracy, and completeness when compared with national standards.