The Radiology department at New London Hospital (NLH) has been re-designated a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence™ (DICOE) by the American College of Radiology (ACR). NLH remains the only hospital in New Hampshire and one of 296 facilities in the country to achieve the DICOE. This distinction was first awarded to NLH in 2014.

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.

“We are incredibly proud to be recognized again by the American College of Radiology for the quality of our expertise and technology,” says Kris Eschbach, DO, Radiologist at New London Hospital. “DICOE is a distinction shared by a relatively small group of clinics and hospitals in the country, due to the enormous amount of time and resources it takes to meet the ACR’s standard. We’re honored to bring the highest possible radiological care to the communities we serve.”

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 NLH, the modalities include Computed Tomography (CT Scan), Digital Mammography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound 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 to identify opportunities for improvement around important areas such as patient wait times.

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 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.