Palos Community Hospital Receives Nuclear Medicine Accreditation at Two Locations  

Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights and the Palos Diagnostic Center in Tinley Park have each been granted a three-year term of accreditation in Nuclear Medicine by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL).

Early detection of life-threatening cancers and other diseases is possible through the use of such nuclear medicine procedures as PET scans available at both Palos locations. In addition, PET scans conducted at the hospital can help detect heart disorders. While the tests themselves are helpful, there are many facets that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on PET testing. The skill of the nuclear medicine technologist performing the examination, the type of equipment used, the background and knowledge of the interpreting physician and quality assurance measures are all critical to quality patient testing.

“We’re very pleased to have received this accreditation at both of our locations that offer nuclear medicine procedures,” said Vicki McFarlane, Administrative Director of Radiology.  "This recognition affirms our ongoing commitment to making high-quality diagnostic services available to the community and it acknowledges the outstanding skills of our staff."

Nuclear medicine accreditation by the ICANL means that Palos Community Hospital and the Palos Diagnostic Center have each undergone a thorough review of operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The ICANL grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to provide quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process that includes detailed case studies.

ICANL accreditation is a seal of approval patients can rely on as an indication that the facility has been carefully critiqued on all aspects of its operations considered relevant by medical experts in the field of nuclear medicine. The accreditation granted by ICANL is widely respected within the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to nuclear medicine, which include physicians, nuclear medicine technologists and medical physicists.

Palos Community Hospital uses state-of-the-art technology to provide one of the most comprehensive ranges of diagnostic and interventional imaging services in the south suburbs. Palos’ advanced services include digital mammography, MRI, PET/CT, PEM, intravascular ultrasound, dual-source computed tomography, and electrophysiology/ablation technology.

Tests at all Palos Community Hospital outpatient sites receive the same high quality processing and prompt attention as those performed at the hospital, and your physician will receive the results just as quickly. To make an appointment for outpatient testing at Palos, call 708-827-2030 or request an appointment online at www.PalosCommunityHospital.org.

Palos Community Hospital’s long-standing mission has been to provide the highest quality health care available. By combining the medical expertise of highly skilled physicians, nurses and staff with state-of-the-art technology and a comprehensive approach to treatment, Palos is committed to delivering world-class medicine in a compassionate and caring environment.