Mercy's Vascular Center Earns Vascular Testing Reaccreditation By The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC)

Mercy Medical Center has received an additional 3-year term of accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Vascular Testing in the area(s) of Extracranial Cerebrovascular Testing, Paul R. Lucas, M.D., FACS, RPVI, Director of The Vascular Center at Mercy, has announced.

Extracranial duplex examinations assess the cervical carotid arteries, common carotid, internal carotid, external carotid and vertebral arteries, for changes in blood flow and plaque morphology (the formation of plaque that can lead to blockages).

According to information released by the IAC, vascular accreditation indicates that Mercy has undergone an intensive application and review process and is found to be in compliance with the published Standards. 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 representational case studies and their corresponding final reports.
 
“Cardiovascular disease, including blood vessel disorders, claims the life of one American every 39 seconds. Stroke, a disorder of the blood supply to the brain, is the third leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. It’s for this reason that having accurate testing with state-of-the-art equipment and well-trained personnel is vital for early detection. IAC accreditation is a ‘seal of approval’ that patients can rely on as an indicator of quality care and a commitment to improvement in vascular testing,” said Todd Hall, BS, RVT, RPhS, Technical Director, The Vascular Center at Mercy.

The IAC provides accreditation programs for vascular testing, echocardiography, nuclear medicine/PET, MRI, CT, dental CT, carotid stenting, vein treatment and management, among other fields. IAC accreditation is widely respected within the medical community as illustrated by the support of more than 40 national medical societies.

The Vascular Center at Mercy offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of circulatory system disorders including stroke and mini stroke, leg pain and swelling, blood clots in veins, aneurysms, varicose veins and circulatory disease.

Board certified in Vascular Surgery, Dr. Lucas is a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation and was instrumental in the establishment of the nationally accredited Vascular Laboratory at The Vascular Center at Mercy. Patients can be screened at all of Mercy’s physician office locations throughout Greater Baltimore, making diagnosis and subsequent scheduling for treatment convenient. Using non-invasive Doppler ultrasound equipment, lab technologists screen patients for circulatory problems like mini-strokes, circulation issues, leg swelling or pain, blood clots and aneurysms.