As Joruna Ribkiene comforts her four day old infant, Atas, during a pediatric transthoracic echocardiography study at Stony Brook University Medical Center, pediatric sonographer, Barbara Blizzard reviews real-time images of the sonogram with Dr. Peter Morelli. The Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory at Stony Brook was recently accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL) for Pediatric Transthoracic and Fetal Echocardiography.

From left, Sonographers Laura Buzzanca, RDCS, RDMS, and Danielle Stalzer, RDCS; Dr. Thomas Biancaniello, Chief of Pediatric Cardiology; Sonographer Barbara Blizzard, RDCS, RDMS; Dr. Peter Morelli, Pediatric Cardiologist; Dr. Rula Balluz, Pediatric Cardiologist; and Marybeth Heyden, Pediatric Cardiology Nurse Practitioner. Not pictured: Sonographer Sharon Goldstein, RDCS, RDMS.

The Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory at Stony Brook University Medical Center (SBUMC) has been accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL) for Pediatric Transthoracic and Fetal Echocardiography.

 Accreditation status signifies that the Pediatric Cardiology Service’s Echocardiography Lab has been reviewed by an independent agency which recognizes Stony Brook’s commitment to quality testing for the diagnosis of heart disease in children. The designation was issued after an independent review of the Echo Labs in the Pediatric Cardiac clinic on Level 5 of the Hospital. It is effective through December 2011.
 
 Echocardiography is a complex imaging technique that relies on the experience and training of both the physician and sonographer. Their interpretive and technical abilities determine the diagnostic accuracy of an echocardiographic examination. The ICAEL has developed an accreditation program, which evaluates the quality of these and other critical elements of an echocardiography center.

 “We are very proud to be one of only a handful of medical centers across New York State to be accredited by ICAEL,” said Dr. Thomas Biancaniello, Chief of Pediatric Cardiology at Stony Brook.

“I am truly proud of our team,” continued Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Peter Morelli, Director of Noninvasive Cardiology. “Our sonographers are highly experienced and extremely competent. They have the highest compassion and respect for the children under our care.”

 Information provided by echocardiographic testing is useful in the detection and management of many types of heart disease. This noninvasive test has become one of the standard diagnostic tools in cardiology with an estimated 10 million echocardiograms performed annually in the United States.

 ICAEL is a nonprofit organization, established with the support of the American Society of Echocardiography, the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Pediatric Echocardiography. It is designed to help laboratories attain the highest possible imaging Quality to improve patient care.

Stony Brook University Medical Center (SBUMC) achieved ICAEL accreditation in Adult Transthoracic, Adult Transesophageal, and Adult Stress in 2008 in all three Heart Center locations, including Level 5 of the Hospital, the Lab in Islandia and the Lab in Tech Park. Adult accreditation is effective through March 2010.

For more information about Pediatric Echocardiography and Pediatric Cardiology, call Stony Brook University Hospital HealthConnect at 631-444-4000.

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