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Sault medical center earns special recognition in echocardiography

MyMichigan Medical Center Sault marks milestone after 10 consecutive years of accreditation in use of scan that can detect heart disease or cardiovascular conditions
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NEWS RELEASE
MYMICHIGAN HEALTH
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By achieving echocardiography accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for at least 10 consecutive years, MyMichigan Medical Center Sault has received a special milestone recognition for demonstrating its long-term commitment to continuously improving patient outcomes and safety.

Every three-year cycle, accredited facilities undergo an intensive application and review process to re-earn accreditation, with an assessment conducted by a panel of medical experts.

“Our nationally registered sonographers Caryn Knepper, Ashley McKechnie and Honey Warren have more than 30 years combined experience in echo,” said Heather Corbiere, B.S., R.C.S., cardiovascular services manager, MyMichigan Medical Center Sault.

“Their dedication and focus on high quality echo imaging and excellent patient care are the reason we are able to maintain the high standards of accreditation and contribute to positive outcomes for patients.”

Echocardiography is used to assess different areas of the heart and can detect heart disease or signs of serious cardiovascular conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

On average, one American dies every 34 seconds of cardiovascular disease – disorders of the heart and blood vessels. IAC accreditation assesses the 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 outcome.

Referring physicians and insurers look for the IAC seal of accreditation as the ‘gold standard’ in the field of echocardiography. Facilities that achieve IAC accreditation demonstrate a clear indicator that they provide a high-quality level of patient care.

“We are proud to recognize long-time accredited echocardiography facilities through the new milestone recognition program,” said Mary Lally, MS, CAE, CEO of the IAC.

“Since being incorporated in 1997 as the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL), we (now IAC Echocardiography) have helped thousands of facilities standardize their processes to provide better patient care and improved outcomes.

"As we celebrate 25 years of accrediting echocardiography facilities, the recognized facilities are true champions of accreditation. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to delivering safe, effective and compassionate care using accreditation as a quality metric.

"These facilities’ ongoing commitment to quality patient care is an example for other health care providers to follow. It is a reminder of the importance of putting patients first and striving to continuously improve the quality of care provided.”

Those who would like more information about MyMichigan Medical Center Sault may visit www.mymichigan.org/sault

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