Heart with accreditation badge in a medical lab

Echocardiogram Quality Check: Why Accreditation Matters for Your Heart

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how accredited echocardiography facilities ensure accurate heart testing, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers."

When it comes to your heart, accuracy matters. Echocardiograms, or 'echo' tests, are a crucial tool for doctors to assess heart health, diagnose issues, and plan treatments. But how can patients and healthcare providers alike be sure that these tests are reliable and of high quality? The answer lies in accreditation.

The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) is a key player in ensuring the quality of echocardiographic testing facilities. Supported by leading cardiology organizations like the American College of Cardiology and the American Society of Echocardiography, IAC accreditation sets a standard for excellence. However, understanding the actual landscape of accredited facilities across the United States has been limited – until now.

A groundbreaking study, known as the VALUE-ECHO study, sheds light on the accreditation status and geographic distribution of outpatient echocardiography facilities serving Medicare beneficiaries. This research aimed to determine the proportion of IAC-accredited facilities, map their locations, and analyze variations in testing procedures based on accreditation status.

The Gold Standard: Accreditation Rates Unveiled

Heart with accreditation badge in a medical lab

The VALUE-ECHO study examined data from 4,573 outpatient facilities billing Medicare for echocardiographic testing in 2013. The results were striking: an overwhelming 99.6% of these facilities were IAC accredited. This high rate indicates a strong commitment to quality standards within the field. Variations were noted by region, with the Northeast at 98.7%, the South and Midwest at 99.9%, the West at 99.5%, and Puerto Rico at 86.2%.

To put these numbers into perspective, consider the types of echocardiograms performed and their accreditation rates:

Transthoracic echocardiograms: 90.9% of all procedures, with 99.7% performed in IAC-accredited facilities.
Transesophageal echocardiograms: 4.7% of all procedures, with 99.9% performed in IAC-accredited facilities.

These figures demonstrate that the vast majority of echocardiographic tests are conducted in facilities that have met stringent accreditation standards. This level of adherence is significantly higher than previously reported for vascular testing facilities, where IAC accreditation rates were considerably lower.

Why This Matters for You

The near-universal accreditation of outpatient echocardiographic facilities has significant implications for both patients and healthcare providers. Standardized imaging and interpretation protocols, mandated by accreditation, contribute to more consistent and reliable diagnoses.

For patients, this means greater confidence in the accuracy of their heart tests and subsequent treatment plans. Knowing that a facility is IAC-accredited provides assurance of quality and adherence to best practices. For healthcare providers, these findings underscore the importance of supporting and maintaining accreditation standards to ensure optimal cardiovascular care.

In conclusion, the VALUE-ECHO study highlights the widespread adoption of IAC accreditation in outpatient echocardiography. This commitment to quality signals a positive trend in cardiovascular care, promising more reliable diagnoses and better outcomes for patients nationwide.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/jum.14349, Alternate LINK

Title: Accreditation Status And Geographic Location Of Outpatient Echocardiographic Testing Facilities Among Medicare Beneficiaries: The Value-Echo Study

Subject: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging

Journal: Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Scott C. Brown, Kefeng Wang, Chuanhui Dong, Li Yi, Carolina Marinovic Gutierrez, Marco R. Di Tullio, Mary Beth Farrell, Pamela Burgess, Heather L. Gornik, Naomi M. Hamburg, Laurence Needleman, David Orsinelli, Susana Robison, Tatjana Rundek

Published: 2017-08-08

Everything You Need To Know

What is the main purpose of an echocardiogram, and why is its quality important?

Echocardiograms, often called 'echo' tests, are vital for assessing heart health, diagnosing issues, and planning treatments. Accreditation assures that these tests are accurate and reliable. Accreditation standards mandate standardized imaging and interpretation protocols, which leads to more consistent and dependable diagnoses.

Who is responsible for ensuring the quality of echocardiographic testing, and who supports them?

The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) is a key organization in ensuring quality in echocardiographic testing. It is supported by leading cardiology organizations such as the American College of Cardiology and the American Society of Echocardiography. This support underscores the importance of IAC accreditation in upholding high standards.

Why is accreditation of echocardiogram facilities considered so important?

Accreditation plays a significant role because it ensures that facilities adhere to specific standards for performing and interpreting echocardiograms. This standardization leads to more reliable diagnoses and better patient care. The high rate of IAC accreditation among outpatient echocardiogram facilities, as demonstrated by the VALUE-ECHO study, highlights a strong commitment to quality.

What did the VALUE-ECHO study reveal about accreditation rates?

The VALUE-ECHO study examined 4,573 outpatient facilities billing Medicare for echocardiographic testing in 2013 and found that 99.6% were IAC accredited. The study also analyzed the accreditation rates for different types of echocardiograms, such as Transthoracic and Transesophageal echocardiograms. These findings provide valuable insights into the landscape of accredited facilities.

How does accreditation directly benefit patients and healthcare providers?

Standardized protocols, which are part of accreditation, lead to more consistent and dependable diagnoses. This consistency benefits both patients and healthcare providers. The high accreditation rates indicate a commitment to quality, which is significantly higher compared to vascular testing facilities.