White Plains, NY (May, 2011) – White Plains Hospital’s Echocardiography Lab was granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL). White Plains Hospital’s lab is one of a growing number of echocardiography labs in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada to be so recognized for its commitment to high quality patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing society over $83.7 billion each year in health services. Cardiac structure and flow information provided by echocardiographic testing is useful in the detection and management of many types of heart disease. Echocardiography is a complex imaging technique relying on the experience and training of both the physician and sonographer. The ICAEL has developed an accreditation program which evaluates the quality of critical elements of an echocardiography lab.

Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary and accreditation status signifies that White Plains Hospital has been reviewed by an independent agency which recognizes the laboratory’s commitment to quality testing for the diagnosis of heart disease.