SEATTLE – (Feb. 23, 2017) – The cardiac electrophysiology lab at the Virginia Mason Heart Institute is one of the first in the United States to earn accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

The accreditation, received earlier this month, is the IAC “seal of approval” that patients can rely on as an indicator of consistent, high quality care and dedication to continuous improvement.

“Earning accreditation reflects our team’s commitment to quality, safety and to always putting our patients first,” said Denise Dubuque, vice president, Patient Care Services. “We are proud that our processes measure up to the IAC’s high standards.”

Cardiac electrophysiology procedures are performed as part of the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. They relieve symptoms and regulate heart rate and rhythm.

The accreditation for testing, ablation and device implementation confirms the Virginia Mason electrophysiology department team participated in a rigorous application and review process, and demonstrated full compliance with IAC Standards for Cardiac Electrophysiology Accreditation.

Comprised of a detailed self-evaluation, followed by a thorough review by a panel of medical experts, the IAC accreditation process enables the operational and technical components of the applicant facility to be assessed, including representative case studies and corresponding final reports.

Virginia Mason is one of only six medical centers across the United States to earn IAC accreditation for their cardiac electrophysiology labs thus far. IAC provides accreditation programs for vascular testing, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diagnostic computed tomography (CT) and carotid stenting in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. This is the first year the agency has accredited electrophysiology services.

About Virginia Mason Health System
Virginia Mason, founded in 1920, is a nonprofit regional health care system based in Seattle that serves the Pacific Northwest. In the Puget Sound region, the system includes 336-bed Virginia Mason Hospital; a primary and specialty care group practice of approximately 500 physicians; regional medical centers in Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Federal Way, Kirkland, Issaquah and Lynnwood; Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled-nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the United States designed and built specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS; Benaroya Research Institute, which is internationally recognized for autoimmune disease research; and Virginia Mason Institute, which trains health care professionals and others from around the world in the Virginia Mason Production System, an innovative management methodology for continually improving quality, safety and efficiency. Virginia Mason online: VirginiaMason.org

Virginia Mason Health System also includes Virginia Mason Memorial, a 226-bed hospital serving the Yakima Valley in central Washington since 1950. Memorial online: YakimaMemorial.org

 Media Contact:
Gale Robinette
Media Relations Manager
Virginia Mason Health System
(206) 341-1509
gale.robinette@VirginiaMason.org