Intensive Application, Review ‘Demonstrates a Commitment to Quality Patient Care’
The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission has awarded Carthage Area Hospital’s Medical Imaging department a three-year term of accreditation in Computed Tomography (CT), the commission recently announced.
The hospital was awarded accreditation in late January in the areas of Neurological CT, Acute Stroke CT, Body CT and Vascular CT.
Accreditation by the IAC indicates that the hospital has completed an intensive application and review process and “is found to be in compliance with the published standards,” which “demonstrates a commitment to quality patient care in CT,” the commission wrote in a letter to the hospital informing staff of the milestone.
“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,” the commission explained.
Approximately one in 10 Americans undergo a CT scan each year in order to detect abnormalities, injuries or diseases. A highly regarded diagnostic imaging tool due to its ability to detect minute differences in tissue as well as its imaging capabilities, CT is used to diagnose conditions of the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, cardiac and vascular system and sinus and temporal bones.
Many factors contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on CT imaging. The training and experience of the operator performing the procedure and the interpreting physician, the type of CT equipment used, adherence to radiation dose guidelines and the quality assessment metrics each facility is required to measure, all contribute to a positive patient outcome.
“The care of our patients and the patient experience is the heart of what we do,” said Susan Ward, RT (R), (M), Medical Imaging department manager. “Accreditation is an investment that ensures we always work to strengthen care for all who choose to see us. It is also important that we strive to continue to grow as a clinical team and a facility.”
Carthage Area Hospital employs a Philips Ingenuity 128-slice CT. It is capable of a wide range of scans while delivering high image quality with attention to providing reduced radiation exposure. Benefits include improved spatial resolution, excellent advanced clinical capabilities, and the ability to accommodate patients of all sizes up to 600 pounds with a bariatric board.
Accreditation by the IAC represents a “seal of approval” on which patients can rely as an indicator of consistent quality care and dedication to continuous improvement.
About the Medical Imaging Department
In addition to the Philips Ingenuity 128-slice CT, Carthage Area Hospital’s Medical Imaging department is equipped to serve patients with a GE Optima 646 X-ray; a Philips 1.5T MRI; a Philips Affinity 70G ultrasound and a GE Prodigy Pro bone density machine. The department is staffed daily, receiving patients for referred scans weekdays by appointment. Call 315-493-1000 and ask for Medical Imaging to schedule an appointment or learn more.
The department performs a variety of procedures, including: routine X-rays — chest, extremities, abdominal and skeletal exams — as well as fluoroscopic exams.
A state-of-the-art wide-bore Philips 1.5T MRI is designed for faster scanning and patient comfort. It provides multiple coils with an increased number of channels to deliver excellent exam detail and shorter procedure times. The MRI also contains windows that allow natural light into the room and unique imagery that aims to calm patients during scans and ease claustrophobia. A Philips Affinity 70G Ultrasound is capable of doing obstetric, carotid, venous and abdominal exams. It also provides detailed imaging and streamlines workflow.
About Carthage Area Hospital
Carthage Area Hospital was established as a not-for-profit rural community hospital in 1965. It operates today as a fully accredited 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, serving approximately 83,000 residents in Jefferson, northern Lewis and southern St. Lawrence counties. The hospital formed a clinical affiliation with Crouse Health, Syracuse, in 2017.
The hospital also operates a network of community-based clinics, including its Family Health Center, Pediatric Clinic and Women’s Way to Wellness and provides a range of specialty care, including general surgery, orthopedics, urology, neurosurgical care, physical therapy and behavioral health.