Freeman Vascular Lab Earns IAC Re-accreditation

Joplin, MO - Freeman Health System Vascular Laboratory has been granted a three-year term of accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Vascular Testing, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care in vascular testing. The accreditation includes peripheral venous testing, extracranial cerebrovascular testing and peripheral arterial testing – vascular testing procedures that enable early detection of life-threatening heart disorders, strokes and other diseases.

“I am proud of our Freeman Vascular Laboratory staff who are part of a team approach to stroke and heart care,” says Paula Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “Freeman is designated as a Level II Stroke Center by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services and was the first in the area to obtain this designation. We know timely treatment makes a life-saving difference, and vascular testing is an integral part of that.”

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in the United States. On average, one American dies every 39 seconds of cardiovascular disease, which includes disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Stroke, a disorder of the blood supply to the brain, is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the country, with nearly 800,000 new strokes occurring annually.

Many factors contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on vascular testing. 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.

“This is a reflection of the extra time and effort we invest in assuring our patients we are achieving the highest quality evaluation and treatment of vascular disease through excellence in testing and imaging,” says Dr. John Nicholas, Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute Interventional Cardiologist.

IAC accreditation is a “seal of approval” that patients can rely on as an indicator of consistent quality care and a dedication to continuous improvement.

Accreditation by the IAC indicates that Freeman Vascular Laboratory has undergone an intensive application and review process and has been found to be in compliance with the published standards, demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care in vascular testing. Comprised of a detailed self-evaluation followed by a thorough review by a panel of medical experts, the IAC accreditation process enables both the critical operational and technical components of the applicant facility to be assessed, including representative case studies and their corresponding final reports.

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About IAC

IAC provides accreditation programs for vascular testing, echocardiography, nuclear/PET, MRI, diagnostic CT, dental CT, carotid stenting, vein treatment and management and cardiac electrophysiology. The IAC programs for accreditation are dedicated to ensuring quality patient care and promoting health care and all support one common mission: Improving health care through accreditation®. IAC accreditation is widely respected in the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to vascular testing, which include physicians, sonographers and technologists. To date, the IAC accrediting divisions have granted accreditation to more than 14,000 sites throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

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About Freeman Health System

Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2020, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System the Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri for 2020. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 70 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.