The Regional Perinatal Center, which specializes in caring for women with high-risk pregnancies, has received accreditation for its ultrasound practice by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).

The center, located at Upstate Health Care Center, 90 Presidential Plaza in Syracuse, cares for more than 7,000 expectant mothers a year.

The accreditation comes from AIUM’s Ultrasound Practice Accreditation Council and recognizes the practice for its obstetric standard and detailed second-trimester obstetric ultrasound.

The Regional Perinatal Center earned recognition by meeting rigorous voluntary guidelines set by the diagnostic ultrasound profession. Areas assessed include the training and qualifications of physicians and sonographers; ultrasound equipment maintenance; documentation; storage, and record-keeping practices; policies and procedures to protect patients and staff; quality assurance methods; and the thoroughness, technical quality and interpretation of the sonograms the practice performs.

“This accreditation represents our commitment and dedication to quality patient care,” said Ashleigh Hemink, BS, MHSA, RDMS, ultrasound coordinator for the practice.  “Although the reaccreditation process is exhaustive, this achievement helps to instill confidence in our practice’s ability to provide consistent high-quality diagnostic ultrasound examinations for our high-risk patient population.”

The AIUM is a multidisciplinary medical association of more than 8,000 physicians, sonographers, and scientists dedicated to advancing the safe and effective use of ultrasound in medicine through professional and public education, research, development of guidelines, and accreditation.

Ultrasound is an essential diagnostic tool for assessing maternal and fetal conditions that may complicate a patient's pregnancy. Ultrasound images aid in the management of the pregnancy and delivery.

For more information on the Regional Perinatal Center, call 315-464-6388 or go here.