Board Chair and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bonnie H. Weiner, announces plans for ACE to apply for official status as an accrediting body for CMS as they continue to discuss options with other payers. Furthermore, ACE plans to extend accreditation services soon to PCI.
In a recently released letter, Dr. Weiner explains that, ACE has made significant progress in its ongoing effort to promote best practices and encourage the highest quality invasive cardiovascular care. "Our work has only just begun with the successful launch of ACE’s website and online application process for carotid artery stenting (CAS). In addition to providing continuous oversight to applicants in the CAS program, I am pleased to announce that ACE is preparing to offer accreditation to recognize quality for all invasive cardiac and endovascular procedures."
Dr. Weiner suggests that "ACE is perfectly positioned to build upon the structure and experience established for carotid stenting and apply the same independent oversight and standards of excellence to programs that perform other cardiovascular procedures, including cardiac catheterization, angiography, structural heart disease intervention (adult and congenital), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and non carotid endovascular procedures."
Dr Weiner also reaffrims ACE's commitment to the highest standards of quality patient care. "With or without mandates for accreditation, ACE is committed to helping you and your facility provide the best quality care for patients. We do that by offering accreditation but also by taking steps to ensure that everyone understands the need for a thorough review by doctors who actually perform the procedures. Our country’s current focus on healthcare reform provides an excellent opportunity to share the standards and processes our profession has established and constantly improves to support delivery of optimal
care and to identify and fix problems as efficiently as possible."
Read the full letter from Dr. Weiner (PDF)