BCH Imaging Facilities Designated Diagnostic Imaging Centers of Excellence
The American College of Radiology (ACR) has re-designated several of Boulder Community Health’s (BCH) imaging facilities as a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence® (DICOE), giving patients assurance that they are receiving the highest quality and safety for imaging services.BCH is the only health care system north of Denver to achieve DICOE.
“Receiving this prestigious designation once again is a reflection of the BCH Imaging Department’s commitment to providing our community with the latest advances in imaging technology and outstanding patient care,” said Dr. Robert Vissers, BCH President and Chief Executive Officer.
The DICOE program, which represents the pinnacle of medical imaging care, is an achievement that goes beyond accreditation to recognize best-quality imaging practices and diagnostic care. This includes a comprehensive assessment of the entire medical imaging enterprise, including structure and outcomes. The DICOE designation recognizes excellence at multiple levels—the professional staff, the technology and policies, the procedures the organization follows and superior patient care.
“This elite distinction demonstrates that we are driven to go beyond ACR accreditations. No other Boulder County health care system can say they are a DICOE,” said Joseph Mikoni, BCH’s Associate Vice President of Diagnostic Testing and Support Services. “Our imaging services are the best of the best with staff dedicated to continuous improvement, innovation and patient-centered care.”
To receive this elite distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in all modalities they provide, and in which the ACR offers an accreditation program. For BCH, the modalities include Computed Tomography (CT Scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, Digital Mammography, Breast MRI and Breast Ultrasound. Another requirement is to participate in two national radiology data registries to help facilities measure progress and document quality of service. By participating in the registries, hospitals help identify opportunities for improvement around important areas such as patient wait times.
This distinction was first awarded to BCH in 2017 for imaging services at Foothills Hospital, Community Medical Center of Lafayette and CU Sports Medicine and Performance Center. Erie Medical Center, which opened in 2019, was included in this year’s designation.
The ACR, founded in 1924, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States. The ACR devotes its resources to making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 38,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.