BVH Vascular Lab Receives IAC Bronze Award

The vascular laboratory at Blanchard Valley Hospital (BVH) has received Bronze Milestone Recognition from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

This award signifies that the lab at BVH has achieved IAC vascular testing accreditation for 20 years, demonstrating its long-term commitment to continually improving patient outcomes and safety.

“This is an honor for the team at Blanchard Valley Hospital, and speaks to the high quality of their work and their commitment to continual improvement,” said Brittany Swiecicki, BSN, RN, cardiovascular services manager. “The majority of recipients of this award are larger hospitals in bigger cities, and we are proud to see our local hospital recognized for the same quality of care.”

Vascular testing enables medical professionals to detect life-threatening heart disorders, strokes, and other diseases more quickly.

Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, one person dies every 33 seconds in the U.S. from disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Stroke, a disorder of the blood supply to the brain, is a leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the country, with nearly 800,000 strokes occurring annually.

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 who examine the many factors that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on vascular testing. Patients, referring physicians, and insurers look for the IAC seal of accreditation as the “gold standard” in the field of vascular testing.

“We are proud to recognize long-time accredited vascular testing facilities through the milestone recognition program,” said Mary Lally, MS, CAE, CEO of the IAC. “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 healthcare providers to follow.”

The vascular laboratory performs physiologic testing and uses ultrasound technology to generate images of blood flow in an individual’s veins and arteries. These tests assist cardiovascular physicians at Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) in diagnosing a variety of conditions related to vascular disease and disorders of the heart and blood vessels.

The training and experience of the 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.

Obtaining IAC accreditation involves submitting case reports representing each member of the team, and each of the three testing areas: venous, arterial, and carotid.

“Our team works hard every day to ensure they are providing great care, but they also are always challenging themselves and each other to keep improving upon that quality care,” Swiecicki said. “Preparing for accreditation involves thoroughly reviewing our own processes before we submit it to IAC. Vascular Laboratory Technical Director Michelle Beucler and the team commit time to this process as part of an ongoing effort to keep improving.”

Vascular studies offered at BVHS include evaluations for deep vein thrombosis, peripheral arterial disease, carotid disease, arteries related to aneurysms, bypass grafts prior to surgery, and much more.

Appointments for vascular studies at Blanchard Valley Hospital are available Monday through Saturday. For more information about vascular studies at the Jane & Gary Heminger HeartCare Center, call 419.423.5132.