Patients with diabetes and other conditions that affect circulation may need specialized testing to identify problems with their blood vessels. In El Paso, UMC Healthcare Partners’ Vascular and Endovascular Surgery is expanding its diagnostic capabilities with a new national accreditation.
As recently reported by KTSM, the practice has become the first vascular surgery practice in El Paso to earn accreditation in all five vascular testing categories from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), a nationally recognized organization that evaluates vascular laboratories.
The accreditation covers testing of blood vessels throughout different areas of the body, giving patients access to a broader range of vascular evaluations within one practice.
What the Accreditation Covers
The IAC accreditation includes five areas of vascular testing:
- Extracranial cerebrovascular testing, which evaluates blood vessels supplying the brain
- Peripheral venous testing, which examines veins in the arms and legs
- Peripheral arterial testing, which evaluates blood flow through arteries in the limbs
- Visceral vascular testing, which examines blood vessels supplying abdominal organs
- Vascular screening
Together, these categories allow providers to evaluate different parts of the vascular system and identify problems that may require further treatment.
Why Vascular Health Matters
Vascular disease can affect how blood moves through the body and may lead to serious complications, including blocked arteries, aneurysms, and circulation problems.
People living with diabetes can face additional vascular risks. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and contribute to problems with circulation.
Early evaluation can help identify vascular problems before they become more serious. It can also give patients and their providers more information to help them decide how to manage an existing condition.
What It Means for Patients
The IAC accreditation recognizes the practice’s adherence to established standards for vascular testing and patient care. For patients, that means vascular testing at UMC Healthcare Partners is supported by nationally recognized quality standards across all five accredited areas.
It also adds another option for patients in the Borderland who need specialized vascular evaluation without leaving the region for care.
With the new IAC accreditation, UMC Healthcare Partners’ Vascular and Endovascular Surgery is strengthening its ability to evaluate vascular conditions and provide specialized care for patients in El Paso and the surrounding region.
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