WAUWATOSA, WI – February 12, 2007 – The Vascular Laboratory of The Wisconsin Heart Hospital was awarded accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL). The laboratory is one of a select number of vascular laboratories in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to meet 
During the accreditation process, every aspect of The Wisconsin Heart Hospital’s vascular laboratory’s daily operations and its impact on the quality of health care provided to patients is assessed and reviewed. While completing the application, laboratories are required to identify and correct potential problems, revising protocols and validating quality assurance programs.
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 vascular disease.
One American dies every 32 seconds of cardiovascular disease, disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Each year, 2 million people in the United States alone develop deep vein thrombosis—blood clots in the veins. This affliction becomes life threatening for 500,000 of those people when the blood clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs. Early detection of these life-threatening vascular diseases is possible through the use of noninvasive vascular testing techniques performed within vascular laboratories.
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 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.