UB Neurosurgery Awarded Full Accreditation For Doppler Testing Of Carotid Artery Disease
Early detection of vascular disease by an accredited testing site provides doctors the essential information they need to properly manage the condition and prevent future stroke.
Buffalo, NY (Vocus) May 16, 2010
University at Buffalo Neurosurgery (http://ubns. com/) (UBNS) has been awarded full accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) for demonstrating excellence in patient care and commitment to vascular disease testing of the highest quality.
UBNS began in-house testing for vascular disease in August 2008 when it acquired a carotid Doppler machine to save patients the inconvenience of having to travel elsewhere for their imaging studies. Carotid Doppler is a safe, painless, and noninvasive ultrasound test used to monitor blood flow from the carotid arteries to the brain. Doppler images help physicians determine whether blood flow to the brain has been compromised by narrowed blood vessels due to plaque buildup. Evidence of extensive carotid narrowing may lead to a diagnosis of carotid artery disease (CAD)—a major risk factor for stroke.
Stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States, occurs as a result of CAD when blood clots or dislodged plaque block the narrowed carotid artery, thereby interrupting blood flow to the brain. Carotid Doppler can detect CAD before a stroke occurs, giving doctors and patients the opportunity to determine if measures should be taken to prevent future stroke. If indicated, patients may undergo a minimally invasive carotid stenting procedure to widen the blocked artery and capture any dislodged plaque.
During the accreditation process, UBNS’ Doppler clinic was subjected to intense scrutiny of its protocol and quality assurance practices and evaluated for its overall impact on the quality of patient health. The clinic’s full accreditation status is a testament to its consistent delivery of outstanding patient care.
The ICAVL (http://www. intersocietal. org/icavl/index. htm) is a non-profit organization established with the support of eleven medical societies including physicians, technologists, and sonographers that represent medical specialties including cardiology, neurology, radiology, vascular medicine, vascular surgery, neurosurgery, internal medicine, and biology.
About UBNS
University at Buffalo Neurosurgery (http://ubns. com/) (UBNS) is an academic neurosurgical group and leading regional referral center for cerebrovascular disorders run by a distinguished team of neurosurgical specialists and subspecialists committed to superior patient care, resident education, and translational research. UBNS diagnoses and treats a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to aneurysms; stroke; back and neck pain; epilepsy; Parkinson’s disease; hydrocephalus; and tumors of the brain, spine, and skull base. It is also the only neurosurgical group in Western New York with FDA approval to conduct device-related clinical trials for acute stroke. Visit www. ubns. com for more information.
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