WAUWATOSA, WI – February 8, 2007 – The Wisconsin Heart Hospital was awarded accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL).  The laboratory is one of the first nuclear cardiology 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 ICANL was established with the support of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist section, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Nuclear Physicians and the Academy of Molecular Imaging (formerly known as the Institute for Clinical PET).  The ICANL provides a peer review mechanism to encourage and recognize the provision of quality nuclear cardiology and nuclear medicine diagnostic evaluations by a process of voluntary accreditation. A non-profit organization, the ICANL is dedicated to promoting quality nuclear cardiology and nuclear medicine diagnostic evaluations in the delivery of health care by providing a peer review process of laboratory accreditation.  

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 and 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 dollars each year in health services, medications and lost work time due to disability.  Each year, approximately five and a half million stress nuclear cardiology studies are performed in the United States.  Both the pump function and the blood flow of the heart are assessed during nuclear cardiology testing procedures.  As a result, physicians are able to detect the presence of cardiovascular disease and may also discover important information regarding the potential??of future heart attacks.

The heart is evaluated at rest and during exercise using a small amount of radioisotope during the noninvasive procedure.  A complex imaging technique, nuclear cardiology testing relies on the experience and training of both the physician and the technologist.  Their interpretive and technical abilities determine the diagnostic accuracy of the examination. 

About The Wisconsin Heart Hospital

Located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, The Wisconsin Heart Hospital, a member 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 the first 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.