WAUWATOSA, WI – January 15, 2007 – The Wisconsin Heart Hospital was awarded accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL).  The laboratory is one of the first one thousand echocardiography laboratories in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to be so recognized for its commitment to high quality patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing.

The ICAEL was established with the support of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) to provide a peer review mechanism to encourage and recognize the provision of quality echocardiographic diagnostic evaluations. ICAEL has developed an accreditation program which evaluates the quality of these and other critical elements of an echocardiography laboratory. 

Participation in the accreditation process is completely voluntary.  Accreditation status signifies that the facility has been reviewed by an independent outside agency which recognizes the laboratory’s commitment to quality testing for the diagnosis of heart disease.

One American dies every 32 seconds of cardiovascular disease, disorders of the heart and blood vessels.  Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing society over $83.7 billion each year in health services, medications and lost work time due to disability.  Cardiac structure and flow information provided by echocardiography testing is useful in the detection and management of many types of heart disease.  This noninvasive test has become one of the standard diagnostic tools in cardiology with an estimated 10 million echocardiograms performed annually in the United States.  Echocardiography is a complex imaging technique that relies on the experience and training of both the physician and sonographer.  Their interpretive and technical abilities determine the diagnostic accuracy of an echcardiographic examination. 

About The Wisconsin Heart Hospital

Located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, The Wisconsin Heart Hospital, an affiliate of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, was the vision of a group of cardiac, vascular and specialty physicians who wanted to treat broad-based diseases that affect cardiac and vascular systems.  They began with a unique premise – they wanted to help shape the future of cardiovascular care through locating innovative workflow, patient care, diagnostics and imaging technologies under one roof.

The only cardiovascular specialty hospital and accredited chest pain center in the Milwaukee area, the 60-bed hospital was designed for the complexities of heart and vascular care. Its services include diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization and peripheral vascular procedures, electrophysiology, surgical services, diagnostic imaging, emergency department and wellness and preventive medicine programs.

As a result of its focus on patient service, TWHH has earned five national awards for patient perception of quality and service, and the top honor in the nation for inpatient cardiology/telemetry two years in a row.

For more information about The Wisconsin Heart Hospital, its award-winning care and outstanding outcomes, log on to twhh.org or contact Mary McIntosh at 414-778-7810.