Hill Vascular & Vein Center’s Vascular Lab Awarded IAC Accreditation in 4 Categories

Written by: Felicia Hung, PMA

In July 2021, our Vascular Lab has been granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Vascular Testing. You might be wondering: “What is IAC?” “What difference does that make?” “What even is vascular testing for?”

The Purpose and Benefit of IAC Accreditation

The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, or IAC, was created to ensure high quality patient care and to promote national quality standards in vascular lab facilities . IAC accredited facilities are monitored closely to ensure these high level standards are met . Our staff must maintain continuing education and our registered vascular technicians must obtain national credentials. Even after accreditation, our facility will be consistently the quality of care. Typically, accredited labs are located in the hospital; however, Hill Vascular and Vein Center is one of three free standing-labs in the Bay Area that are accredited for all 4 types of vascular scans. If you prefer staying away from the hospitals for your scans, free-standing labs like ours is the perfect place to go.

As a patient, your Primary Care Physician (PCP) or another specialist may now refer you to Hill Vascular and Vein Center solely for the purpose of diagnostic imaging within our vascular lab. We offer a comfortable setting, personalized care, quick scheduling access, and automated reporting back to your physician.

Vascular Testing

As mentioned, vascular labs such as ours can be accredited by IAC for 4 different types of scans:

• Peripheral Arterial Testing
• Peripheral Venous Testing
• Visceral Vascular Testing
• Extracranial Cerebrovascular Testing

Each of these tests are important for ruling out disease and for regular health screenings as well. nationally, venous issues are much more common than arterial issues so preventative screening is important.

Peripheral Arterial Testing

Peripheral arterial testing is used to detect and monitor peripheral artery disease when patients are experiencing symptoms such as cramping, fatigue, aching, pain or discomfort in the leg or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs. If you are a dialysis patient, peripheral arterial testing is used to help determine where to place your AV fistula.

Peripheral Venous Testing

We typically use peripheral venous testing to detect how well your veins are returning blood back to your heart. Problems in your veins can cause issues such as wounds that have trouble healing. Another problem that can occur is deep vein thrombosis or DVT. DVT is a blood clot in your veins that can potentially travel to your lungs and cause major health issues.

Visceral Vascular Testing

Visceral vascular testing helps us detect any blocked arteries in your pelvis as well as aneurysms, which are bulges that may cause your blood vessels to burst if left untreated.

Extracranial Cerebrovascular Testing

These tests are done at the neck to screen for diseases such as stroke or to identify carotid artery disease.

If you are in need of vascular testing or know that your primary care physician is ordering one of these for you, you may schedule an appointment with us at 408-770-4455 or email us at frontdesk@hillvascular.com. Our lab is fully staffed M-F during normal office hours.