| |
|
 |
7/17/2007
Cardiology Associates is pleased to announce that its Cardiovascular CT services have received accreditation from the American College of Radiology (ACR). In April of 2005, Cardiology Associates became the first private practice in the nation to acquire the new 64 Volume CT (VCT) Scanner from General Electric (GE). The GE scanner is a state of the art CT scanner capable of imaging the heart and coronary arteries in astonishing detail.
Vance M. Chunn, FACHE, CEO/Administrator of Cardiology Associates, says, “Having the distinction of accreditation for our CT services means that the ACR has measured us in overall quality, including not only personnel and equipment, but most importantly, the quality of care that we provide to our patients. The accreditation also demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest quality of care.” In addition, the ACR accreditation is also an important step in meeting the accreditation requirements for payers.
Chunn points out that the CT program at Cardiology Associates is successful “because of the dedication of a number of our physicians and our CT staff, who have all received specialized training around the country in utilizing the new CT scanner for the diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular disease.” Specifically, Jason H. Cole, M.D.,MSc, FACC, who serves as the Director of the CT Service, is a level III trained CT physician. Level III training is the highest level of training available and physicians with this distinction are able to train other physicians in the specified area. “There are a number of other physicians in the group who have also been very instrumental in the establishment of our CT service,” says Chunn. In addition to the physicians, Cardiology Associates is fortunate to have one of the best trained and experienced CT staffs in the country. Joseph Glass, RT(R)CT, who heads up the CT staff, is a registered CT technologist, and in addition to his daily duties running the CT services from a technical standpoint, trains other technologists from around the country on the newest cardiovascular CT procedures through the GE Master’s program.
The ACR awards its accreditation only to diagnostic imaging facilities that demonstrate the highest practice standards based on stringent survey criteria. The evaluation survey is conducted by peer board certified physicians who are experts in the field of diagnostic imaging. These experts assess the facility equipment, quality of images, and qualifications of the physicians and technologists.
Established in 1985, Cardiology Associates is a 27-physician group providing coordinated and integrated comprehensive heart services including pediatric cardiology, adult clinical, invasive and interventional cardiology, preventive cardiology, electrophysiology and the treatment of heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, cholesterol and lipid disorders. Cardiology Associates is committed to improving access to cardiovascular care, decreasing mortality due to heart disease and enhancing the quality of life for all residents in South Alabama as well as the Mississippi and Florida Gulf Coasts. Cardiology Associates operates offices in Mobile, Fairhope and Foley, AL and outreach clinics in Atmore, Bay Minette, Chatom, Jackson, and Orange Beach, Alabama and Lucedale, Mississippi. For more information about Cardiology Associates, visit www.cardassoc.com or call 251-607-9797 or 251-990-9500.
|
|
