Published on April 21, 2023
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital Radiology Designated an ACR Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital Radiology has been designated a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence® (DICOE) by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
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 — including the professional staff, the technology and the policies and procedures the organization follows — and superior patient care.
In order 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. Another requirement is participating in the Dose Index Registry® and General Radiology Improvement Database, as well as Image Wisely® and Image Gently®.
“We believe that we provide excellent image quality, patient safety and experience,” Sara Butterworth, Director of Radiology, said. “This recognition only confirms it.”
She noted that teamwork and continuous learning have contributed to the department’s success.
“Our goal is to raise the minimum standards of value-based care to the highest possible level,” Butterworth said. “We pledge to image gently and image wisely — using the lowest possible radiation dose.”
The department also participates in several National Radiology Data Registries – a tool for improving the quality of patient care, using comparative performance feedback on quality measures. This is the highest achievement for medical imaging facilities.
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.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.