News

Cardiology at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital located in Centralia, IL has been granted a three-year term of accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Vascular Testing in the areas of Extracranial Cerebrovascular Testing and Peripheral Venous Testing. This latest accreditation awarded to the Cardiology Department at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital demonstrates the facility’s ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care in vascular testing.

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in the United States. On average, one American dies every 34 seconds of cardiovascular disease- disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Stroke, a disorder of the blood supply to the brain, is the leading cause of death and disability in the country, with nearly 800,000 strokes occurring annually. Early detection of life-threatening heart disorders, stroke, and other diseases is possible through the use of vascular testing procedures.

Many factors contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on vascular testing. The training and experience of the medical technologist performing the procedure, the type of equipment used, and the quality assessment metrics each facility is required to measure, all contribute to a positive patient outcome. IAC accreditations is a “seal of approval” that patients can rely on as an indicator of consistent quality care and commitment to continuous improvement.

“This accreditation is a testament to our commitment to our patients and doing all we can to ensure they receive the best care possible. Our cardiology department is filled with team members who dedicate their work to our mission of continuing the healing ministry of Jesus Christ,” said Amy Merten, BSN, RN, Regional Manager – Cardiology and Cardiac Rehab SSM Health Illinois
Accreditation by the IAC indicates that the Cardiology Department at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital has undergone an intensive application and review process and is in compliance with the published standards thus demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care in vascular testing. Compromised of a detailed self-evaluation followed by a thorough review by a panel of medical experts, the IAC accreditation process enables both the critical operational and technical components of the applicant facility to be assessed, including representative case studies and their corresponding final reports.

About IAC
The IAC is a nonprofit organization in operation to evaluate and accredit facilities that provide diagnostic imaging and interventional-based procedure, thus improving the quality of patient care provided in private offices, clinics and hospitals where such services are performed. The IAC provides accreditation programs for vascular testing, echocardiography, nuclear/PET, MRI, diagnostic CT, dental CT, carotid stenting, vein treatment and management, vascular interventional, cardiac electrophysiology and cardiovascular catheterization. The IAC programs for accreditation are dedicated to ensuring quality patient care and promoting health care and all support one common mission: Improving health care through accreditation®. Committed to its mission through a rigorous peer review process, the IAC has granted accreditation to more than 14,000 sites its inception in 1991. To learn more about IAC, visit intersocial.org.