In The News
WMMC Vascular Lab Receives National Accreditation
The non-invasive Vascular Lab at The Heart and Vascular Care Center at White Memorial recently achieved accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL). This accreditation recognizes a high level of patient care and quality testing for the diagnosis of vascular disease.
The Heart and Vascular Care Center at White Memorial, Vascular Lab is one of a select number of vascular laboratories in the United States to meet or exceed the ICAVL standards for non-invasive vascular testing. It performs both screenings and diagnostic studies to identify vascular disease, which is the leading cause of stroke. Expert physicians and patient care staff work closely, using the latest technology, to evaluate each patient for proper treatment.
In order to attain this accreditation the Vascular Lab took the following steps:
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A large number of vascular exams were reviewed.
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The exams needed to meet good standing criteria.
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The vascular technical director, vascular specialists reviewed the exams.
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Suitable exams were selected and they were then sent to the ICAVL.
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Exams needed to prove that the lab followed specific ICAVL standards that ensured quality assurance.
The accreditation currently covers the carotid artery and venous duplex exams.
Vascular exams are quick, painless and easy on the patient. Using ultrasound technology, the same technology that is used to see the fetus of a pregnant woman, the carotid arteries in the neck and the abdominal aorta are evaluated. For peripheral vascular disease, the blood pressure of the arms and ankles are measured using a Doppler instrument to listen to the arteries.
Posted 8/28/07
