The IAC Echo: An Example That Meets IAC Echo Standards

What Is The IAC And What Does The IAC Do?

The Inersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), formerly known as the Intersocietal Commision for the Accreditation of Echo Labs (ICAEL), is the most recognized accrediting body for echocardiography labs in the US and internationally.


According to their website, the IAC accredits imaging facilities specific to echocardiography as a means for facitlites to evaluate and demonstrate the high level of patient care they provide.

The IAC echocardiography accreditation is given to echo labs that have gone through the stringent process and have demonstrated high levels of competency in echocardiography.  The IAC accreditation in echocardiography is given on a 3 year basis.

IAC accreditation in echo is actually required in some US states, which has prompted more and more echo labs to apply for IAC accreditation.  The requirement in these states must be met in order for hospitals and echo labs to be reimbursed by Medicare and private insurance companies.

Types Of Accreditation Offered By the IAC

• Adult Transthoracic Echo
• Adult Transesophageal Echo
• Adult Stress Echo
• Pediatric Transthoracic Echo
• Pediatric Transesophageal Echo
• Fetal Echo

The IAC Echo: A Standardized Echocardiogram

Part of the IAC accreditation process is for echo labs to demonstrate their ability to perform echocardiograms that meet or exceed IAC standards. Not only must these echocardiograms meet IAC standards, but they must also follow a strict protocol that’s been approved by the IAC.

The reason for the IAC protocol is to ensure that every sonographer in every echo they perform captures all the data necessary to ensure thorough interpretation by a cardiologist. In addition to this, the IAC protocol has been established to ensure a standardization of echocardiograms regardless of who’s doing them, or where the echo’s being performed.

The idea is that an IAC echo done in Los Angeles, California will have the same information and same measurements as an IAC echo done in New York City.

IAC Echo Example

The following video is an example of an IAC echo.  This echocardiogram is not of the best quality, but is an excellent example of what a normal everyday echo that meets IAC standards would look like.  

The IAC echo example meets all of the requirements published in the latest IAC guidelines and follows an approved IAC protocol for adult transthoracic echocardiograms.

Final Thoughts

Do you have any questions regarding IAC echo guidelines or standards?  If so, shoot me a message, or leave a comment below. I’ll always reply.  Or if you’re curious what it’s like to be a cardiac sonographer or what it takes to become a cardiac sonographer, take a look at my post, How To Become A Cardiac Sonographer: An Ultimate Guide.