Tift Regional Medical Center awarded full certification as a breast health center

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September 12, 2012

Tift Regional Medical Center awarded full certification as a breast health center

Anonymous CNHI The Tifton Gazette Wed Sep 12, 2012, 10:43 PM EDT

TIFTON — Tift Regional Medical Center has been awarded full certification as a breast health center by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, the hospital announced Wednesday. TRMC successfully completed the NAPBC survey process and has received a three-year accreditation.

"The NAPBC recognizes and applauds your center's commitment to providing the highest quality evaluation and management of patients with breast disease," stated Scott Kurtzman, M.D. (chair of the NAPBC Standards and Accreditation Committee) and Cary Kaufman, M.D. (chair of the NAPBC Board of Directors) in a joint notification letter to Joel Johnson, M.D., general surgeon, hospital board member and medical director for TRMC's Tift Comprehensive Breast Center. "Your recently completed survey was structured to assess compliance with all standards established by the NAPBC and to assure that your patients were afforded access to the full range of critical services for their disease."

Johnson said that receiving NAPBC accreditation is important because it means that TRMC uses a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating breast disease and has undergone a rigorous application process and on-site survey to assure national standards are being met. "Not all hospitals meet these stringent standards," said Johnson. "In fact, TRMC is one of only 13 NAPBC accredited programs in the state and one of only two in South Georgia," he said. "These centers voluntarily enter into an agreement to maintain their high level of clinical care with re-certification required every three years."

Johnson said NAPBC accredited programs provide certain components, each of which contribute to quality patient care. This starts with breast imaging and needle biopsy services at the TRMC Women's Imaging Center, followed by interdisciplinary conferences between radiologists, pathologists, general surgeons, oncologists, plastic surgeons and more to develop treatment plans. An important component is patient navigation, which TRMC offers with women's health navigator Debra Hardeman, R.N.

"Debra is available to assist women who have had a positive mammogram or other diagnostic test indicating that further diagnosis or treatment is needed," said Johnson. "She serves as an educational resource and personal GPS for women navigating the health care system, understanding their needs during a difficult time and helping to alleviate the stress and anxiety while care is being arranged."

Offering quality breast surgery options, both oncologic and reconstructive, is crucial for accreditation, as is providing topnotch cancer therapy. TRMC has a freestanding oncology center, which centralizes chemotherapy, radiation treatment and cancer support services under one roof. "Women can receive a high-level of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment close to home and family," said Johnson. "The NAPBC accreditation also recognizes Tift Regional Medical Center's dedication to data management, education, outreach and quality improvement."

Johnson said the establishment of TRMC's Tift Comprehensive Breast Center and NAPBC accreditation would not be possible without the teamwork of a cross-section of physicians and hospital staff members. "Our doctors, nurses, department managers, therapists, technicians, pharmacists, social workers, tumor registrars and more came together to make this happen," he said. "They all heeded the call to elevate our breast health program to the next level. The community should be proud of this distinction."

The NAPBC, administered by the American College of Surgeons, represents a consortium of national, 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. Learn more about at www.napbc-breast.org<http://www.napbc-breast.org>.

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