What Accreditation Means to You

Accreditation and certification by The Joint Commission is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality and reflects Cayuga Medical Center’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards. The stated mission of The Joint Commission is to continuously improve health care for the public by evaluating health-care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.

The ACR has established detailed standards of medical practice for radiologic imaging. These standards define how diagnostic and interventional imaging exams should be performed to provide high quality, safe patient care within each field of radiologic specialty.

The guidelines encompass every aspect of imaging, including the specific training requirements of certified personnel, the responsibilities of each caregiver, and the exact specifications of equipment and the imaging studies to be performed. The standards also spell out what medical centers must do in the areas of quality improvement and patient safety. Every four years these practice standards are updated to reflect current best practices.

The results of these nationally implemented ACR standards are improved diagnostic image quality, improved clinical results, and improved patient safety. When you see the ACR seal of approval you know that our Department of Imaging Services has gone through a review process that confirms our practice of nationally accepted standards of care. You know that our radiologists, radiologic technologists, sonographers, and nurses are well qualified to provide your care. You know that our equipment is appropriate for the imaging study you will receive and that our services meet or exceed quality assurance and safety guidelines.

Our shared goal with The Joint Commission and the American College of Radiology is to ensure that our patients consistently experience the safest, highest quality, best-value care in all of our patient-care facilities.