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The Region’s Only Accredited Facility Approved by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers Covenant’s Comprehensive Breast Center has been granted a three-year/Full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. Covenant’s Comprehensive Breast Center is the third breast center in the state of Iowa to receive this designation. “We are elated to receive this important designation,” said Teresa Horak, director of women’s and children’s services at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. “Our breast center has been committed to the highest standards of quality breast care for the women of our region, and this designation confirms that commitment.” During the survey process, the center must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease. The standards include proficiency in the areas of: center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement. A breast center that achieves NAPBC accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease. “In October, the center added a breast care navigator to assist patients with accessing the many services available to them throughout the Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare system,” stated Horak. “Our patients deserve the best which includes a continuum of care: three highly-skilled breast surgeons, an accredited breast center and the area’s only accredited cancer center offering services such as chemotherapy and radiation treatment, a wellness and rehabilitation program, nutritional assistance and spiritual care. Complete breast care and cancer care is right here at home, at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.” The NAPBC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to the improvement of the quality of care and monitoring of outcomes of patients with diseases of the breast. This mission is pursued through standard-setting, scientific validation, and patient and professional education. Its board membership includes professionals from 15 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of breast care. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that there would be 192,370 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States in 20091. In addition, hundreds of thousands of women who will deal with benign breast disease this year will require medical evaluation for treatment options. Receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center ensures that a patient will have access to: - Comprehensive care, including a full range of state-of-the-art services
- A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
- Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options, and most importantly,
- Quality breast care close to home.
For more information about the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, visit their Web site at www.accreditedbreastcenters.org or click here to go to Covenant's Comprehensive Breast Center page. _________________________________________ 1. American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2009. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2009.
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