Both Porter Regional Hospital’s Center for Cardiovascular Medicine and Portage Hospital Receive Echocardiography Accreditation by the IAC

Porter-New-Hospital-Coming-SoonPorter Regional Hospital’s Center for Cardiovascular Medicine and Portage Hospital have been granted a three-year term of accreditation in Echocardiography in the areas of Adult Transthoracic by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

Accreditation by the IAC means that both Porter Regional Hospital’s Center for Cardiovascular Medicine and Portage Hospital have undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The IAC 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.

Early detection of life threatening heart disorders and other diseases is possible through the use of Echocardiography procedures performed within hospitals, outpatient centers and physicians’ offices. While these tests are helpful, there are many facets that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on Echocardiography testing. The skill of the Echocardiography sonographer 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.

IAC 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 Echocardiography. When scheduled for an Echocardiography 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.intersocietal.org/echo/main/patients.htm.

IAC accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to Echocardiography, which include physicians and sonographers. Echocardiography accreditation is required in some states and regions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and by some private insurers. Echocardiography accreditation is required in some states and regions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and by a number of private insurers. However, patients should remain vigilant in making sure that their

Echocardiography procedures are performed within accredited facilities, because for many facilities accreditation remains a voluntary process.

Porter Health Care System has two hospital campuses and seven outpatient facilities serving Porter, Lake, LaPorte, Starke, Newton and Jasper counties. With more than 350 physicians representing 50 medical specialties on the medical staff, Porter Health Care System is committed to medical excellence and personalized, patient-centered care.