Healthcare Terms & What They Really Mean

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between open surgery and a procedure? Or why it matters if your physician is board certified? These are just a few things that you should be aware of before heading to your next doctor’s appointment. Keep reading to learn more about some common healthcare terms and how they relate to your heart health.  

Surgery

Surgery is an invasive treatment method that permanently alters the patient’s body. According to the American College of Surgeons, surgery may include the use of lasers, radiation, scalpels, probes or needles as treatment. Open heart surgery, heart transplants, and coronary artery bypass grafting are all examples of cardiovascular surgeries that are used to treat severe cases of heart disease or heart failure.

Procedure

Procedures use minimally invasive technologies to treat heart disease or heart failure without the traditional method of open surgery. Many cardiovascular procedures only require a small incision, which poses less risk than surgery and results in shorter recovery time for the patient. Our physicians are pioneers in cardiovascular procedures such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and MitraClip, which are both non-surgical approaches to treat patients with diseased aortic valves or mitral regurgitation.

Non-Invasive

The National Institutes of Health describes noninvasive medicine as, “a procedure that does not require inserting an instrument through the skin or into a body opening.” At FCCI, we house a Non-Invasive Vascular Lab with a dedicated team of specialists trained to address specific cardiovascular needs. This may include the use of ultrasound imaging, duplex scans, and physiologic studies to develop a personalized treatment plan for our patients.

Accreditation

Accreditation is an important achievement for healthcare facilities such as doctors’ offices and hospitals; it means that the facility has met the standard set forth by a recognized accreditation organization such as the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). In addition to the IAC, FCCI is proud to be accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Board of Vascular Medicine, and the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.

Board Certified

When a physician is board certified, it means they have passed a rigorous set of exams to demonstrate their expertise in a medical specialty. After receiving their initial board certification, physicians must participate in the Maintenance of Certification as the field of medicine evolves. All of our physicians are board certified in various cardiology sub-specialties such as Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology, Endovascular Medicine and more.