Sligo University Hospital Cardiac Investigations achieves ESC Echocardiography Laboratory Accreditation

Sligo University Hospital is delighted to announced that its Cardiac Investigations Department has achieved ESC Echocardiography Laboratory Accreditation.

The Cardiac Investigations Department applied for echo lab accreditation to ensure high-quality, safe, and consistent echocardiography practice. Accreditation confirms that studies are performed and reported to recognised standards, by competent staff, using standardised protocols. It improves patient safety, increases confidence in results for clinical decision-making, supports clinical governance, and promotes continuous service improvement.

Cardiac physiologists are essential members of the cardiology team, providing specialist technical expertise in cardiac investigations, imaging, and rhythm management. Their work directly influences diagnosis, treatment decisions, and long-term outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Cardiac investigations are used to diagnose, assess severity, guide treatment, and monitor progression of heart disease. Among them, echocardiography (echo) is one of the most important and commonly used tools. Echo is a non-invasive ultrasound examination of the heart that provides real-time images of cardiac structure and function. Echocardiography is a cornerstone of cardiac investigation, providing comprehensive information on cardiac structure, function, and haemodynamics. It plays a pivotal role in diagnosis, management, and follow-up of most heart diseases and is often the first-line investigation in suspected cardiac pathology.

Being awarded Advanced ESC Echo Lab Accreditation means that an echocardiography laboratory has been formally recognised by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) as delivering exceptionally high-level echocardiography services.

It signifies that the lab:

• Meets advanced ESC/EACVI standards for quality, safety, and governance
• Provides expert-level echocardiography, including complex and specialist studies
• Has highly trained, accredited staff with ongoing education and audit
• Uses standardised protocols, advanced techniques, and modern equipment
• Produces reliable, high-quality reports that can be trusted for complex clinical decisions
• Demonstrates continuous quality improvement and research/teaching involvement

Orlagh Harrington, Chief II Cardiac Physiologist at SUH said “We are delighted to welcome this accreditation to Cardiac Investigations, recognising the team’s commitment to excellence, high-quality echocardiography, and patient-centred care. This achievement reflects the expertise, dedication, and professionalism of our physiologists, and reinforces our promise to deliver the highest standards of cardiac diagnostics.”

Dr Diarmaid Hughes, Consultant Cardiologist said “This accreditation is a very important recognition of the hard work, dedication and excellence of our Cardiac Physiologists here in Sligo University Hospital. To have received the advanced accreditation shows our department upholds the highest standards and we are all very proud of Orlagh and her team.”