FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Deborah Coble
Director, Corporate Communications
dcoble@westclinic.com
901-683-0055

Memphis Heart Clinic’s Nuclear Lab Receives National Accreditation by ICANL for Outstanding Quality

 Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL) Recognizes Memphis Heart Clinic’s Nuclear Cardiology Lab

MEMPHIS, TN – September 14, 2011 Memphis Heart Clinic announced today that its nuclear laboratory has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in Nuclear Cardiology by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL).  In 2008, Memphis Heart Clinic was one of the first nuclear cardiology laboratories in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to receive ICANL accreditation for its dedication to high quality patient care and provision to high quality diagnostic testing.

Accreditation by the ICANL means that Memphis Heart Clinic has undergone a thorough review of its nuclear laboratory’s operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The ICANL grants accreditation only to those facilities found to provide quality patient care in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review. The program evaluates the quality of myocardial perfusion imaging (nuclear cardiology testing) and other critical elements of a nuclear cardiology laboratory.

According to Bashar Shala, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FASE, FASNC, Director of Nuclear Cardiology, “We consider our ICNAL accreditation as a testament to our commitment to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism in Nuclear Cardiology.  We are proud of our staff that lives by those standards.”

ICANL 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 nuclear medicine.

As a Mid-South leader in cardiovascular care, Memphis Heart Clinic physicians have also been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Physician Recognition Program for Heart/Stroke Care, a 3-year recognition awarded for excellence in cardiac care.

About Memphis Heart Clinic

Memphis Heart Clinic is one of Mid-South’s premier cardiovascular centers, specializing in consultative and interventional cardiology including peripheral vascular intervention and electrophysiology.  Established in 1998, Memphis Heart Clinic has 13 cardiologists, recognized as innovative leaders in cardiovascular medicine, and 5 offices in Memphis, Southaven, Brighton, Clarksdale, and Holly Springs.

About (ICANL)

The ICANL was established with the support of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, The Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section, theAmericanCollegeof Cardiology, theAmericanCollegeof Nuclear Physicians and theAcademyofMolecular Imaging(formerly known as the Institute for Clinical PET). The ICANL provides a peer review mechanism to encourage and recognize the provision of quality nuclear cardiology and nuclear medicine diagnostic evaluations by a process of voluntary accreditation. A non- profit organization, the ICANL is dedicated to ensuring high quality patient care and to promoting healthcare.

For additional information, please visit www.memphisheartclinic.com