05/07/2024

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Honored for 25 Years of Heart Imaging Accreditation

DOVER, NH – Wentworth-Douglass Hospital has received a “silver milestone” award from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), in recognition of its 25 years of excellence in echocardiography and “for demonstrating its long-term commitment to continuously improving patient outcomes and safety.”

Echocardiography is an imaging technique that uses sound waves to produce images of the heart, which doctors use to monitor, and diagnose, heart conditions. Wentworth-Douglass was one of the first facilities accredited by IAC, among just 90 nationwide.

"This award is a tribute to the consistent, unwavering teamwork and dedication of our staff, who are constantly striving for excellence for our patients,” said Dr. Michael Mazzini, associate chief medical officer and cardiologist at Wentworth-Douglass. “This recognition not only celebrates our past achievements, but also reaffirms our commitment to high-quality, innovative care for every member of our Seacoast community.”

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.  

Patients, referring physicians and insurers look for the IAC seal of accreditation as the ‘gold standard’ in the field of echocardiography.  

“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,” said Mary Lally CEO of the IAC. “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.”

In 1997, the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL) was incorporated as a nonprofit organization, with the goal of providing the field of echocardiography an independent, objective evaluation for process improvement. The purpose was to help facilities standardize their processes to provide better patient care and improved outcomes.

Nearly 2,800 facilities across the U.S. and Canada are currently accredited in Adult or Pediatric Echocardiography accreditation by the organization now known as IAC Echocardiography, even though it is primarily a voluntary program.