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Steven R. Schulze, B.S., RVT, technical director of the vascular labs.
UAMS Vascular Laboratories Receive Three-Year Accreditation for Vascular Testing
| LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ (UAMS) vascular laboratories were recently awarded three-year accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission in Vascular Testing, signifying that they have demonstrated a commitment to quality patient care and vascular testing.
“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 vascular testing,” said Steven R. Schulze, B.S., RVT, technical director of the labs.
The UAMS Vascular Lab on the main campus has been accredited for many years, but this is the first time that UAMS has sought accreditation for the lab at the Baptist Health/UAMS Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Clinic, which it has been operating with Baptist Health since 2014. Both accreditations became effective Sept. 1.
“I could not be more proud of the dedication and hard work put in by all the vascular technologists in the Vascular Lab,” said Mohammed Moursi, M.D., chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery in the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Surgery and medical director of the labs. “This accreditation is really a singular honor and designation. The vascular lab serves the entire UAMS system. I would like to thank Steve for all of his hard work in obtaining this accreditation.”
Mohammed Moursi, M.D.
Schulze said both labs underwent an extensive application and review process, and he thanked his staff for their hard work.
“Accreditation indicates a thorough review of the facilities’ operational and technical components by a panel of experts,” Schulze said. “The IAC grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review.”
The UAMS-affiliated labs are the only two accredited labs in Arkansas that are dedicated exclusively to vascular testing.
The IAC announced that both labs are accredited in the areas of extracranial cerebrovascular testing and peripheral arterial testing, and the on-campus lab is additionally accredited for peripheral venous testing.
“Early detection of life-threatening heart disorders, strokes and other diseases is possible through the use of vascular testing procedures,” the IAC said. “Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. On average, one American dies every 39 seconds of cardiovascular disease. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the country, with nearly 800,000 new cases occurring annually.”
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,275 students, 890 medical residents and fellows, and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 12,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.
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