Saving Life and Limb

By Melissa McCance

Unless someone struggles with pain from varicose veins, most of us probably don’t give our circulation vein health much thought. However, a relatively common condition known as peripheral vascular disease (PAD) can have serious consequences if not treated, and the longer that treatment is delayed, the more serious the situation can become.

Alyssa Faremouth is a Registered Vascular Sonographer (RVS) and the lead technologist at Advanced Veins and Vascular Management (AVVM) in Hillsdale which is managed by board-certified vascular surgeon A.K. Abushmaies, M.D. Alyssa says that PAD is one of the major diagnoses they see at AVVM that a lot of patients are not aware they have. PAD can present with pain and discomfort to a more serious condition such as open wounds and ulcers in the legs and feet.

Alyssa holds an associate’s degree in applied sciences and a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in biomedical sciences. She has been in the field for ten years and greatly enjoys working for AVVM.

“I strive to improve the quality of life for my patients with the treatments and care the staff and I give them,” says Alyssa. “We focus on identifying problems and providing the best solutions.”

As a vascular sonographer, Alyssa uses advanced ultrasound equipment to produce images of patients’ veins and arteries. These images allow the physician to assess vascular health and determine if there is a need for treatment and what type of treatment is most appropriate. Before the ultrasound, Alyssa preps the room and attends to any patient needs. She is also responsible for analyzing reports and evaluating results for both major and incidental issues. “Sometimes the problem that brings a patient in isn’t actually the most important thing they have going on,” she explains. “What brought them in might be a symptom of a less serious symptom than what we find during the evaluation.” Performing vascular tests by a certified vascular sonographer in an Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) accredited facility is very critical to make the accurate diagnosis and provide the best treatment.

Alyssa is justly proud of being part of a healthcare team that holds itself to such high standards and she is very happy to be working in this area. She says that she loves the community and finds her patients to be vibrant, upbeat, and friendly. In addition, Alyssa feels that the staff at AVVM is an excellent group that works well together and makes patient care their top priority while also striving to make everyone who comes to them for treatment feel comfortable and valued.

“I also enjoy being able to assist in the non surgical, minimally invasive vascular procedures for vein and arterial disorders,” Alyssa adds. “That is always very interesting to me.” AVVM provides state of the art care in a very safe, patient focus environment and approach.

As far as the challenges of her work, Alyssa said the main one would be pinning down each diagnosis accurately after reviewing the vascular study with Dr. Abushmaies, who is also a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) and finding the most appropriate treatment option. “We always want to find the right decision that will make the most difference to improve the patient’s health and quality of life.”

Patients can be confident in their level of care at AVVM which holds the Vein Center Accreditation, Vascular Testing, and Vascular Intervention, all three, from the IAC. The IAC is a nonprofit organization that evaluates and accredits facilities that provide diagnostic imaging and interventional-based procedures, resulting in improved quality of patient care. In addition, AVVM has received accreditation from IAC for peripheral arterial treatment and hemodialysis access. The team at AVVM is especially proud to say that they are the only ones accredited with the top three accreditations in vascular specialties from IAC in the surrounding area.

Vascular technologists at AVVM are specifically trained and certified in vascular testing and being accredited through IAC means:

The facility has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts in the field.

The facility upholds processes that are in compliance with national standards.The facility has standards in place for patient and personnel safety.

This facility’s accreditation is valid for a period of three years.

If you wish to contact AVVM about any vein-related health concerns. please call 517-797-5265. AVVM is located at 3271 W. Carleton Rd., Suite 2, in Hillsdale.