Vascular Surgery Associates Laboratory Receives Vascular Testing

Accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC)

GREENVILLE, SC – Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. On average, one American dies every 39 seconds of cardiovascular disease—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. According to the American Heart Association, the total direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular disease and stroke in the United States in 2010 was an estimated $503.2 billion. Early detection of life-threatening heart disorders, stroke and other diseases is possible through the use of vascular testing procedures performed within hospitals, outpatient centers and physician offices.

The Vascular Laboratory at Vascular Surgery Associates of Greenville, a member of the Bon Secours Medical Group, has earned a three-year accreditation in vascular testing in the areas of Peripheral Arterial testing, Extracranial Cerebrovascular testing and Peripheral Venous testing by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). Vascular Surgery Associates, a member of the Bon Secours Medical Group, is located in the ST. FRANCIS downtown Outpatient Center, 3 St. Francis Drive, Suite 330.

Accreditation by the IAC means that Vascular Surgery Associates Laboratory 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 providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review. 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 vascular testing.

When scheduled for a vascular testing procedure, patients are encouraged to inquire as to the accreditation status of the facility where their examination will be performed (learn more at www.intersocietal.org/vascular/main/patients.htm).

IAC accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, evidenced by the support of the national medical societies related to vascular testing, which include physicians, technologists and sonographers. Vascular testing accreditation is required in some states and regions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and by some private insurers. Patients should be vigilant, however, in making sure that their vascular testing procedures are performed within an accredited facility.

About Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

The Mission of Bon Secours St. Francis Health System is to bring compassion to healthcare and to be Good Help to Those in Need®, especially those who are poor and dying. As a system of caregivers, we commit ourselves to help bring people and communities to health and wholeness through the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. With innovative technology, we heal the body. With faith, we mend the spirit. We draw from a past that’s rich in the healing tradition, while strengthening the future through the guidance and support of our sponsor, Bon Secours Ministries, and Bon Secours Health System, Inc. For more information, please visit www.stfrancishealth.org.

About Bon Secours Medical Group

With 250 board-certified physicians in more than 70 Upstate locations, the ever-growing Bon Secours Medical Group brings together practitioners, physicians and surgeons to offer a wide range of specialties, from primary care to highly specialized surgery, to meet all the healthcare needs of all Upstate residents. For more information, please visit www.stfrancishealth.org.