Kosair Children's Hospital Non-Invasive Cardiology Receives National Accreditation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. --(Business Wire)--

Each year more than 35,000 babies in the United States are born with congenital heart defects, making it the most common type of birth defect. It is also the most critical, as congenital heart defects cause more deaths during the first year of life than any other birth defect. Over the past few decades, however, diagnosis and treatment has improved, allowing almost all affected children to not only grow into adulthood, but to thrive.

Among the advanced diagnostic tools available, a noninvasive ultrasound study called an echocardiogram is commonly used to evaluate heart structure and function. The skill of the sonographer performing the examination, the type of equipment used, the background and knowledge of the interpreting physician and quality assurance measures are each critical to quality patient testing.

Louisville-based Kosair Children's Hospital Non-Invasive Cardiology has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in Echocardiography in the areas of Pediatric Transthoracic by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

Accreditation by the IAC means that Kosair Children's Hospital Non-Invasive Cardiology has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts. 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 applicatin process including detailed case study review.

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 scheduled for an Echocardiography procedure, patients are encouraged to inquire as to the accreditation status of the facility where their examination will be performed and can learn more by visiting www.intersocietal.org/echo/main/patients.htm.

IAC accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to Echocardiography, which include physicians and sonographers. Echocardiography accreditation is required in some states and regions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and by some private insurers. Echocardiography accreditation is required in some states and regions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and by a number of private insurers. However, patients should remain vigilant in making sure that their Echocardiography procedures are performed within accredited facilities, because for many facilities accreditation remains a voluntary process.

About Kosair Children's Hospital

For more than a century, Kosair Children's Hospital and its predecessor hospitals have cared for the children of Kentucky and Southern Indiana without regard to their families' ability to pay. Kosair Children's Hospital is Kentucky's only full-service, free-standing pediatric care facility dedicated exclusively to caring for children and is an advocate for the health and well-being of all children. The 263-bed hospital, supported by the Children's Hospital Foundation, serves as the primary pediatric teaching facility for the University of Louisville School of Medicine. In 2007, Kosair Children's received the prestigious Magnet designation recognizing excellence in nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Kosair Children's Hospital is one of the top children's hospitals in the United States as ranked in U.S. News Media Group's edition of America's Best Children's Hospitals since 2009. More information is available at KosairChildrens.com.