VWCH peripheral arterial testing certified

Van Wert independent/VWCH information

Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. On average, one American dies every 38 seconds of cardiovascular disease — disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Stroke, a disorder of the blood supply to the brain, is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the country, with nearly 800,000 new strokes occurring annually. The American Heart Association estimates that the direct and indirect cost for cardiovascular disease and stroke in the U.S. for 2010 is $576.7 billion.

Early detection of life threatening heart disorders, stroke and other diseases is possible through the use of vascular procedures performed within hospitals, outpatient centers and physicians’ offices. While these tests are very helpful, there are many facets that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on vascular testing, The skill of the vascular technologist performing the examination, the type of equipment used, the background and knowledge of the interpreting physician and quality assurance measures are each critical to quality patient testing.

Van Wert County Hospital Vascular Ultrasound in Van Wert has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in the areas of Peripheral Arterial Testing,

Peripheral Venous Testing and Extracranial Cerebrovascular Testing by the lntersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL). Accreditation by the ICAVL means that Van Wert County Hospital has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The ICAVL 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.

ICAVL 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 vascular medicine. When scheduled for a vascular procedure, patients are encouraged to inquire as to the accreditation status of the facility where their examination will be performed and can learn more by visiting www.icavl.orgl/cavl/main/patients.htm.

ICAVL accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to vascular medicine, which include physicians, technologists and sonographers. In addition, several insurance companies require their providers of vascular services to be accredited. However, patients should remain vigilant in making sure that their vascular procedures are performed within accredited laboratories, because for many facilities it remains a voluntary process.