Geisinger-Community Medical Center receives Echocardiography accreditation
A transthoracic echocardiogram is a procedure in which a technician obtains views of the heart by moving a small instrument to different locations on the chest or abdominal wall. The instrument sends sound waves into the chest and can identify potential cardiac problems based on echoes received. The Adult Transthoracic Echocardiography accreditation recognizes that G-CMC meets or exceeds high-quality echocardiography procedural standards set by the IAC.
“Accreditation by the IAC demonstrates that we at G-CMC are delivering high-quality care when testing heart health,” said Stephen Voyce, M.D., chief of cardiology and co-director, the Geisinger Heart and Vascular Institute at G-CMC.
“Together with our other cardiovascular services, we’re helping to effectively prevent and treat heart disease,” added Madhava Rao, M.D., director of noninvasive cardiology, the Geisinger Heart and Vascular Institute at G-CMC.
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 scheduling an echocardiogram, patients are encouraged to inquire about the accreditation status of the facility where they will be evaluated.
Cardiovascular disease – any condition of the heart or blood vessels – is the primary cause of death in the United States. On average, one American dies every 39 seconds of cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association estimates that the direct and indirect cost for cardiovascular disease in the U.S. for 2010 was $503.2 billion. Early detection of life-threatening heart disorders and other diseases is possible through the use of echocardiography procedures performed within IAC-accredited hospitals, such as G-CMC.
About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the non-profit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 134 care sites - including 10 hospital campuses, and Geisinger Health Plan, with 600,000 members in commercial and government plans. The Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $14 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.