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One American dies every 32 seconds of cardiovascular disease, disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing society over 83.7 billion dollars each year in health services, medications and lost work time due to disability. Cardiac structure and flow information provided by echocardiographic testing is useful in the detection and management of many types of heart disease. This noninvasive test has become one of the standard diagnostic tools in cardiology with an estimated 10 million echocardiograms performed annually in the United States. Echocardiography is a complex imaging technique that relies on the experience and training of both physician and sonographer. Their interpretive and technical abilities determine the diagnostic accuracy of an echocardiographic examination. The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL) has developed an accreditation program which evaluates the quality of these and other critical elements of an echocardiography laboratory.

Thomasville Medical Center's and Davidson Cardiology Associates' Cardiovascular Laboratories were both recently granted accreditation by the Intersociety Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories ( ICAEL). These two labs are one of the first one thousand echocardiography laboratories in the United States to be so recognized for their commitment to high quality patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing. Davidson Cardiology Associates' echocardiography lab is one of the first medical practices in the area to receive such accreditation.

"Thomasville Medical Center is committed to meeting the healthcare needs of our community," shares Tom Pogue, TMC Vice President. "The accreditation of both our echocardiography lab and the lab at Davidson Cardiology Associates reflects the level of our commitment to provide the community nothing short of the most remarkable medical care available."

Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary. Accreditation status signifies that both the Medical Center and Davidson Cardiology's echocardiography labs have been reviewed by an independent agency which recognizes the lab's commitment to quality testing for the diagnosis of heart disease. "When it comes to matters of the heart," states Kim Strother, Registered Cardiac Sonographer, CRT-RCP for Thomasville Medical Center, "we want to ensure that we provide an accurate diagnosis." Jean Creed, RDCS, with Davidson Cardiology Associates adds "With this commitment from our staff, we can certainly deliver Novant's promise of Remarkable People, Remarkable Medicine."