The Gold Standard In Medical Imaging
At University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center (UM Charles Regional), providing top-quality care is at the heart of everything we do, and that commitment is reflected in our recent achievement of MRI accreditation from the American College of Radiology (ACR). This recognition isn’t just a certification – it’s a testament to our dedication to offering the highest standard of diagnostic services for our community.
“We actually do it for the community, in order to provide excellent services to our community, stay up to date with the latest equipment, and offer the best imaging possible,” said Caren McGuigan, supervisor of imaging services at UM Charles Regional. “We’re always striving to provide our patients the best possible care, and this accreditation helps our radiologists uphold the highest standards of quality and accuracy.”
ACR accreditation is considered the gold standard in medical imaging, ensuring that patients receive care that adheres to rigorous national benchmarks for quality, safety, and accuracy.
Why Is MRI Accreditation Important?
ACR accreditation is more than just a symbol of excellence. It’s a requirement for facilities like ours to meet certain regulatory standards, especially for serving patients with Medicare Part B. Achieving this certification allows us to continue offering MRI services that are covered under Medicare, meaning more of our patients, particularly those with specific financial or medical needs, can access vital imaging services without the burden of higher out-of-pocket costs. This accreditation enhances our ability to serve a broader range of patients in Charles County.
The Process Behind The Accreditation
Achieving this accreditation was no small feat. It required an intensive selection and multi-week review process, led by our MRI technologist Belinda Beckwith, who meticulously reviewed thousands of images to find the most perfect studies to submit for approval.
“It takes hours and hours and thousands of images to find the proper images – they need to meet specific parameters and the clarity must be very high,” said Beckwidth. “ACR wants the best of the best, so we likely went through 100,000 images during the course of the month-and-a-half review process.”
Each image had to be free from artifacts or positive findings to meet the ACR’s strict criteria. After careful selection and final approval by Bolivia T. Davis, MD, radiologist at UM Charles Regional, these studies were submitted to the ACR, culminating in our hospital’s MRI accreditation.
The Benefits For Our Community
This MRI accreditation means that every time you or a loved one steps into our imaging suite, you can feel confident knowing that the equipment, practices and personnel have met the highest standards in the field. The ACR’s extensive review process ensures that we are delivering precise, reliable results that help guide your care.
“We continually aim to provide excellent care in our community, and this is one of many ways we ensure we’re going above and beyond,” said McGuigan. “It all comes back to our larger focus on being a high – reliability organization and accreditations such as this are a foundational step.”
Whether you’re undergoing routine screening or diagnostic tests, this accreditation helps ensure that you’re receiving top-tier care right here, close to home in Charles County.
Committed To Excellence
As a regional leader in health care, UM Charles Regional continually strives to enhance the quality of care we provide to Charles County and the surrounding area. Our MRI accreditation exemplifies how we’re investing in state-of-the-art technology and highly skilled staff to deliver exceptional care. As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain focused on one thing: serving you and your family with excellence, compassion, and the utmost care.