Northside Hospital-Cherokee Nuclear Cardiology Receives National Accreditation

Northside Hospital-Cherokee has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in nuclear cardiology by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).  Accreditation by the IAC means that Northside has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts.  The IAC grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review.

“This accreditation demonstrates Northside Hospital-Cherokee’s commitment to high standards and to enhancing the quality of care for our heart patients,” said Patricia Tyson, administrative director, Northside Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute.  “I want to thank our staff for all of their hard work in helping us to achieve this goal.”

Cardiovascular diseases, disorders of the heart and blood vessels, are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States.  Early detection of life threatening heart disorders and other diseases is possible through the use of nuclear cardiology procedures performed within hospitals, outpatient centers and physicians’ offices.  While these tests are helpful, there are many facets that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on nuclear cardiology testing.  The skill of the technologist performing the examination, the type of equipment used, the background and knowledge of the interpreting physician and quality assurance measures are each critical to quality patient testing.

IAC accreditation is a “seal of approval” that patients can rely on as an indication that the facility has been carefully critiqued on all aspects of its operations considered relevant by medical experts in the field of nuclear cardiology.  When scheduled for a nuclear cardiology procedure, patients are encouraged to inquire as to the accreditation status of the facility where their examination will be performed.

For Georgians at risk for heart disease, Northside Hospital-Cherokee’s team of board-certified cardiologists, working alongside cardiac-trained nurses and technologists, has the highest level of expertise in diagnosing and treating disorders like congenital heart defects, coronary artery blockages and heart failure.  An established leader in cardiovascular services and an Accredited Chest Pain Center, the hospital offers a wide range of diagnostic, treatment and support services – encompassing the entire continuum of care for the heart patient.