DeGraff Memorial Hospital is granted accreditation

TONAWANDA - The nuclear cardiology program at DeGraff Memorial Hospital has been granted a three-year term of accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

Michele Collins, manager of Imaging Services at DeGraff, said, “It is an Indication that our facility has been carefully looked at for all aspects of quality and we do have the experts in the field.”

Accreditation takes months and it is never a sure thing that it will come through. All policies and protocols need to be reviewed to make sure it is at the highest quality that is set by the Commission.

The IAC grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review.

“Nuclear cardiology studies use noninvasive techniques to assess myocardial blood flow, evaluate the pumping function of the heart as well as visualize the size and location of a heart attack,” According to the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology. “Nuclear cardiology studies continue to play an increasingly important role in the new millennium, in noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease, the assessment of the pumping function of the heart and the prediction of outcomes in patients with heart disease.”

With cardiovascular diseases being the number one cause of death in the United States, causing on average one death every 39 seconds, having the right facility close to home is key. The skill of the technologist performing the examination and the type of equipment used are important in getting an accurate diagnosis.

Collins said that patients now know that compared to other facilities they have been looked at and found to have the top quality and staff.

“It gives you a gold seal compared to other facilities,” said Collins.

Accreditation must be renewed every three years to ensure quality and standards continue to be followed to give patients the best care possible.

“We are so pleased to be recognized for this accomplishment,” said Collins, “This recognition acknowledges the high quality of care we provide at DeGraff, as well as our outstanding clinical practices and state-of-the-art technology.”