FISHERSVILLE, VIRGINIA — Augusta Health’s Imaging Center in the Ambulatory Pavilion has been honored with the Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence® (DICOE) designation by the American College of Radiology® (ACR®). The DICOE program represents the highest level of medical imaging care, going beyond accreditation to recognize superior imaging practices and diagnostic care. This comprehensive assessment evaluates the entire medical imaging enterprise, including its structure and outcomes. The DICOE designation recognizes excellence on multiple levels, encompassing professional staff, technology, organizational policies and procedures, and superior patient care.
To achieve the highest designation, facilities must be accredited by the ACR for all imaging procedures for which the ACR offers an accreditation program. Additionally, they must participate in two ACR National Radiology Data Registries (NRDR®) and the Image Wisely® and Image Gently® programs. Facilities are surveyed by a team of medical imaging experts to provide a third-party analysis of patient care, quality, and radiologic safety. This DICOE accreditation represents the highest level of achievement in the field of medical imaging, a distinction that very few imaging facilities have achieved.
“This accomplishment is truly remarkable for Augusta Health,” said Jesse Johnson. “The radiology team set a goal of achieving Center of Excellence designation for our Ambulatory Care Pavilion Imaging Center, and we have now achieved that goal through hard work, attention to details and perseverance. Today, Augusta Health is the only medical imaging center west of Richmond, along the I-81 corridor from West Virginia to Tennessee, to hold this designation. This is a testament to the radiology team’s dedication to serving this community.
On May 6, Augusta Health’s Outpatient Pavilion Imaging Center became the 21st imaging facility in Virginia to achieve DICOE accreditation. Nationally, there are 35,000 ACR-accredited facilities and approximately 750 facilities have a DICOE designation. This places Augusta Health in elite company with the remaining 2% of facilities nationwide achieving this level of quality.
About the American College of Radiology
The American College of Radiology (ACR), founded in 1924, is a 42,000-member medical association that advances patient care, medical practice, and collaborative outcomes through advocacy, quality standards, research, and education. www.acr.org.
