Iowa Methodist Medical Center Receives IAC Accreditation for Carotid Stenting

June 25, 2012

Provided By: UnityPoint Health - Des Moines

Iowa Methodist Medical Center has been granted an accreditation for Carotid Stenting by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). Iowa Methodist is one of five hospitals in the country to receive this important recognition.

Accreditation by the IAC means that Iowa Methodist has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts in the field of Carotid Stenting. The IAC grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to have processes in place to ensure quality patient care, in compliance with national standards. The initial accreditation for Iowa Methodist is for 18 months; as data continues to be provided to the IAC, the accreditation will extend to three-year terms.

"The Vascular Center at Iowa Methodist, and our team of vascular surgeons at The Iowa Clinic who practice there, are committed to providing a full array of diagnostic and therapeutic options for our patients," said Douglas Massop, MD. "Iowa Methodist is a truly state of the art vascular center.  Achieving this accreditation from the IAC is just one example of our commitment to the best quality care." Dr. Massop also serves as a physician on the national board of the IAC.

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 Carotid Stenting. IAC accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to Carotid Stenting, which include physicians, technologists and physicists. The Carotid Stenting accreditation program also benefits from IAC's multi-specialty clinical review processes.

About Cardiovascular Disease and Carotid Stenting
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. According to the American Heart Association, the total direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular disease and stroke in the U.S. for 2010 was an estimated $503.2 billion.

Decreased blood flow to the brain caused by plaque on the inside of the carotid arteries is a serious cardiovascular condition that may lead to stroke. Carotid stenting is a therapeutic procedure used at the site of the blockage to provide support to keep the artery open, and is an alternative to carotid surgery in some patients. While Carotid stenting can be extremely beneficial in reducing the risk of stroke due to carotid artery disease, the effectiveness of the procedure is significantly impacted by a performing facility's adherence to standards defining optimal resources, training and outcomes.

The Iowa Methodist Vascular Center
The Vascular Center at Iowa Methodist is a comprehensive program providing state-of-the-art diagnosis and medical, interventional and surgical treatment of vascular disease. Iowa Methodist vascular specialists treat a wide range of problems, from large vessel aortic disease to end-vessel diseases such as diabetes, stroke and renal dysfunction. Patients also have the opportunity to participate in advanced clinical research studies. The Vascular Center is also committed to early recognition and treatment of vascular disease through community-based screening and awareness programs.