Echocardiography Program Earns Reaccreditation

The echocardiography program at Mercy Hospital South and its affiliated Mercy Heart and Vascular Testing facilities has met the rigorous standards necessary to earn reaccreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.

Echocardiography is used to assess different areas of the heart and can detect heart disease or signs of serious conditions. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, followed closely by stroke as the fourth highest cause of death. According to the American Heart Association, more than 2,100 Americans die each day from cardiovascular disease, which is about one death every 40 seconds.

There are many factors that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on echocardiography. The training and experience of the sonographer 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 outcomes. Commission accreditation is a seal of approval that patients can rely on as an indicator of consistent quality care and a dedication to continuous improvement.

Mercy Hospital South Non-Invasive Cardiology, Mercy Heart and Vascular Testing – 10012 Kennerly Suite 300, Mercy Heart and Vascular Testing – 1001 S. Kirkwood and Mercy Heart and Vascular Testing – 7345 Watson have each been granted another three-year term of accreditation in the areas of adult stress and adult transthoracic. In addition, Mercy South Non-Invasive Cardiology was reaccredited in adult transesophageal.

“This accreditation is a signal to our patients that we are dedicated to providing high quality and safe echocardiography services,” said Dr. Farhaan Ahmad, medical director of non-invasive cardiology at Mercy South. “This is an honor every member of our echocardiography team has earned.”

The commission requires an intensive application and review process for accreditation. Accredited facilities must follow published standards, demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care in echocardiography. Comprised of a detailed self-evaluation and a thorough review by a panel of medical experts, the accreditation process enables both the critical operational and technical components of the facility to be assessed, including representative case studies and their corresponding final reports