Heart Institute accredited-07.20.07

Brownsville, Texas—A year later, the Heart Institute of Brownsville is still the only facility south of Galveston boasting an accredited echocardiography laboratory.

“(Accreditation) keeps us on our toes, making sure we are meeting national quality standards at all times,” said Emma Molina, echo supervisor for the institute.

The laboratory gained accreditation — after random site visits and much paperwork — in February of 2006, Molina said.

It remains the only accredited facility in South Texas.

“Being accredited is proof that you know what you are doing,” Molina said.

The actual procedure is much like a sonogram, but of the heart, she explained.

“As sonographers, we need to know what to look for in the heart, because whatever information we give to the doctor is what will be used in the diagnosis,” she added.

The Heart Institute focuses on adult care and currently has three sonographers, three echo procedure rooms and two viewing rooms, said Marketing Director Jennifer Koelle.

According to the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories, the site will be up for accreditation renewal in 2009.

“We will do it again,” Koelle said.

The Brownsville Herald