Three Metro Health Cardiology Programs Receive Accreditation

WYOMING, MI, December 16, 2010 (Press-News.org) Three cardiology programs at Metro Health Hospital have received accreditation from national agencies.

The Wyoming, Michigan-based community hospital, which has been expanding and strengthening its cardiology programs and services, has received the following:
• Accreditation of its echocardiography laboratory by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories. Echocardiographic testing is one of the standard diagnostic tools used in the detection and management of many types of heart disease. More than 10 million echocardiograms are performed each year in this country.
• Accreditation of its nuclear cardiology laboratory by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories. Nuclear cardiology testing involves complex imaging techniques that use a small amount of radioisotope to evaluate the heart at rest and during exercise. Annually, more than 5.5 million cardiac stress tests are performed in the United States.
• Accreditation of its vascular laboratory by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories. Vascular labs use noninvasive techniques to diagnose potentially life-threatening cardiac diseases.
According to each of the accrediting bodies, Metro's labs are among a growing number in the United States and Canada to be recognized for their commitment to high-quality patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing.

"We are exceptionally pleased to receive accreditation in these three cardiac areas," said Mike Faas, president and CEO of Metro Health. "Our labs and programs have undergone rigorous review to receive these certifications, which underscore the quality of our cardiac services and our staff's dedication to patient care."

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing society more than $83.7 billion annually in health services, medications and lost work time.

About Metro Health Hospital
Metro Health Hospital is a 208-bed general acute-care osteopathic teaching hospital that serves more than 130,000 patients in Kent and surrounding counties. Metro Health, which earned status as a Top 100 Hospital for the three consecutive years, offers a broad range of services, including inpatient and outpatient services, emergency, surgery, intensive care, rehabilitation, wellness and community education. Metro's work is supported by the Metro Health Hospital Foundation, which is a charitable organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of the West Michigan community through philanthropy. For more information, visit http://www.metrohealth.net.

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