Stormont-Vail Cardiovascular Echocardiography Lab Exceeds Guidelines Leading to Accreditation for Highest Quality Diagnostic Testing

(Topeka, Kan., May 25, 2010) – The Stormont-Vail Echocardiography Lab with locations in the hospital, at the Cotton-O'Neil Heart Center, and at Medical Arts Clinic in Emporia, has recently been granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL) for exceedingly high standards and quality and quality of care. The lab is one of a growing number of echocardiography laboratories in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to be recognized for its commitment to high quality patient care and quality diagnostic testing.

This accreditation status signifies that the Stormont-Vail Echocardiography Lab was reviewed by an independent agency and has been found to meet and exceed the guidelines created by the ICAEL for adult echocardiography. Through the accreditation process, laboratories assess every aspect of daily operation and its impact on the quality of health care provided to patients. The accreditation process often identifies and corrects potential problems, revises protocols and validates quality assurance programs. Because accreditation is renewed every three years, a long-term commitment to quality and accountability is developed and maintained.

Cardiac structure and flow information provided by echocardiographic testing is useful in the detection and management of the various types of heart disease.

For more information about cardiovascular echocardiography accreditation, visit http://www.icael.org/icael/index.htm.