Beebe Healthcare’s Breast Center Accreditation is Renewed by the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)
Beebe Healthcare 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. The designation represents a renewal for Beebe Healthcare, which earned the accreditation in 2013 and was the first organization in Delaware to do so.
“This accreditation recognizes the attention to detail and to continuously improving processes that have made our clinical outcomes among the best in the nation,” said James Spellman, MD, a fellowship trained surgical oncologist at Beebe. “This outstanding achievement is a credit to everyone at Beebe Healthcare – our Board members, our physicians, our clinical staff and all of our employees.”
Beebe’s breast-care experts provide comprehensive breast care for both women and men, and treat a wide range of breast conditions, including breast cancer and benign breast disease. Beebe’s team also follows women who are at an increased risk for developing breast cancer.
“Our breast health program seamlessly provides diagnostic services, surgery, outpatient treatment services and survivorship care throughout the Beebe Healthcare system,” said Judith Ramirez, EdD, Manager of Oncology Population Health for Beebe.
The program offers treatment for breast cancer and fully accredited breast imaging services including mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.
Beebe Healthcare offers 3D Mammography, or breast tomosynthesis, which is the latest advance in digital mammography technology. 3D Mammography means earlier detection and fewer unnecessary biopsies for women. 3D mammography is available at Beebe’s Bookhammer Outpatient Center on Route 24 near Rehoboth Beach, Millville, and at the Georgetown Health campus.
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.
“Diagnostic imaging services at Beebe Healthcare are really expanding to meet the needs of the community,” said Dan Mapes, MPA, RT(N), CRA, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at Beebe at Beebe Healthcare. “The start of excellent breast care begins with state-of-the-art imaging and experienced radiologists to interpret the images.”
During the survey process, the center must demonstrate compliance with 29 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.
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 20 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of breast care.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that there would be 232,340 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States in 20131. 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 accreditedbreastcenters.
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1. American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2013.
Beebe Healthcare is a not-for-profit community healthcare system with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health for the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. It offers services throughout Southern Delaware for residents and visitors, including a 210-licensed-bed hospital, a cancer treatment center, and outpatient facilities providing walk-in care, lab, imaging, and physical rehabilitation services. For more information, please visit us online at Beebe Healthcare.