Salem, Mass.  – North Shore Medical Center’s (NSMC) Vascular Center has been recognized for its commitment to providing a high level of patient care and quality testing for the diagnosis of vascular disease. NSMC achieved accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICVAL).

North Shore Medical Center is one of a select number of vascular laboratories in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico to meet or exceed the ICAVL standards for non-invasive vascular testing. During the accreditation process, every aspect of the lab’s daily operations and its impact on the quality of health care provided to patients is assessed and reviewed.

Participation in the accreditation process demonstrates NSMC’s attention to quality patient care and quality testing.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing American’s more than $83 billion each year in health care services, medications and lost time at work. One American dies every 32 seconds of cardiovascular disease and other disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Stroke is the third leading cause of disability and death in the U.S., with 500,000 new strokes occurring annually.

Early detection of these life-threatening vascular diseases is possible through the use of non-invasive vascular testing techniques performed at facilities such as NSMC’s Vascular Laboratory.

The ICAVL is a non-profit organization established with the support of 11 medical societies including physicians, technologists and sonographers that represent medical specialties including cardiology, neurology, radiology, vascular medicine, vascular surgery, neurosurgery, internal medicine and biology.