USA Pediatric Cardiology Clinic Receives Echocardiography Accreditation by the IAC

The staff at the University of South Alabama Pediatric Cardiology Clinic, Spring Hill Avenue Campus, pictured from left: Katina Matthews, billing insurance clerk; Lisa Dyer, clinical nurse; Sheri Fisher, ultrasonographer; Dr. Lynn Batten, director of the division of pediatric cardiology; and Lauren Crawford, medical assistant.

The University of South Alabama Pediatric Cardiology Clinic is the first in Alabama to be granted a three-year term of accreditation in echocardiography in the areas of both fetal and pediatric transthoracic echocardiography by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

Echocardiography is a noninvasive ultrasound study commonly used to evaluate heart structure and function. Each year, more than 35,000 babies in the United States are born with congenital heart defects making it the most common type of birth defect. Congenital heart defects cause more deaths during the first year of life than any other birth defect.

“Dr. Batten and her team work tirelessly to deliver the highest quality of cardiovascular care for children. Their accreditation for pediatric and fetal echocardiography is a recognition of their excellence and expertise,” said Dr. David Gremse, professor and chair of pediatrics at USA.

Patients can rely on the IAC accreditation as an indication the USA Pediatric Cardiology Clinic has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts and is in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process. The skill of the sonographer, the type of equipment used, the knowledge of the interpreting physician and quality assurance measures are all critical to quality patient testing.