CONCORD TWP., Ohio, January 21, 2010 - Lake Health is pleased to announce that their Sleep Center has been awarded a five-year term of accreditation in Sleep Medicine as the result of a recent survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).  To receive accreditation, Lake Health met or exceeded all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM.

To receive a five-year accreditation, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM.  The accreditation process involves detailed inspection of a center’s facility and staff, including an evaluation of testing procedures, patient contact, and physician training.  Additionally, the facility’s goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community it serves. 

 “The AASM accreditation demonstrates our continuing pledge to build the strongest quality medical community possible,” said Cynthia Moore-Hardy, FACHE, Lake Health President and CEO.  “Accreditation by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine inspires a high level of confidence for our patients, referring physicians and managed care organizations and assures them that only the highest level of quality of care is being provided at Lake Health.  We congratulate everyone involved in this outstanding achievement.”

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine currently accredits more than 1,600 sleep medicine centers and laboratories across the country and is the national accrediting body for sleep disorders and labs, dedicated to setting standards and promoting excellence in sleep medicine health care, education and research.

 “Our accreditation represents the pinnacle of quality and the tremendous effort on the part of the staff that made this major accomplishment possible,” said Raymond Salomone, MD, board certified in Pulmonary Disease, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Medicine. “We are extremely proud of this achievement.”

Janie Racer, Vice President, Clinical Services, credits the dedicated and caring staff with the program’s ability to rank among the elite providers nationally.  “It is very rewarding to reach the level of national benchmarks that signify best practices,” said Ms. Racer.  “This is a very gratifying accomplishment for everyone involved and something we are very proud of.”

The Association of Sleep Disorders Centers, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is the only professional society that is dedicated exclusively to the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine. As the leading voice in the field of sleep medicine, the AASM sets standards and promotes excellence in health care, education and research.

To schedule a sleep study at Lake Health, call the Best of Health line at 440-953-6000. A physician referral is required.