Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Delaware County Memorial Hospital (DCMH), both members of the Crozer-Keystone Health System, both recently received a full three-year accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC).

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers 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.  

To receive NAPBC accreditation, each hospital must go through a rigorous survey process. During this process, the hospital must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with a full spectrum of breast disease. The standards include proficiency in the areas of leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement. Both Crozer and DCMH met all 27 of the program’s standards.

According to the NAPBC, at an accredited hospital, patients will have access to:

• Comprehensive care, including a full range of state-of-the-art services (such as sentinel node biopsy and digital mammography)
• A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options.

“Crozer Regional Cancer Center is proud to offer a comprehensive approach to diseases of the breast. The approach begins with diagnostic imaging, such as digital mammography, ultrasound and MRI, performed by radiologists who specialize in breast diseases. When treatment is needed, our experienced team of radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and breast and reconstructive surgeons provide advanced, coordinated care for breast disease patients using the latest procedures and technologies,” says Raymond J. Vivacqua, M.D., chief of Hematology/Oncology at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and medical director of the Crozer Regional Cancer Center at Crozer.

The Delaware County Regional Cancer Center at DCMH also offers a comprehensive approach, advanced technologies and wealth of clinical expertise. Care for women with breast problems is coordinated through the Center for Breast Health, which is located right next door to the cancer center at DCMH.

“This outstanding achievement is indicative of many ways in which our breast health team works together to maintain a high level of service. And we are constantly striving to improve,” says John D. Sprandio, M.D., medical director of the Delaware County Regional Cancer Center and chief of Hematology/Oncology at DCMH. “Whether it’s streamlining billing and scheduling to developing comprehensive follow-up and coordination of care.”

At the heart of both programs are the weekly “breast panels” conducted at both hospitals. Mary Lou Patton, M.D., FACS, FICS, FSSO, FCCM, Crozer surgeon and American College of Surgeons liaison for the Crozer Regional Cancer Center, says, “As part of our commitment to comprehensive breast health for women and men, our panel meets weekly to discuss abnormal breast imaging studies, pathologies, cytologies and breast cancers to determine the best possible treatment plans for our patients.”

In addition, both hospitals offer full-time nurse navigators who are dedicated to assisting breast cancer patients through the entire course of their cancer diagnosis and treatment. Patients can also access unique genetic counseling services that provide for evaluation of family members’ risk for development of breast cancer and allows the hospitals to provide individualized advice for proper surveillance and prevention procedures. Other specialized programs include education and support groups, personal appearance enhancement centers, symptom management, nutritional counseling and more.

“Our goal is to provide state-of-the-art care for women and men with breast problems of all types in a respectful, thorough and calm manner,” says Thomas Matulewski, M.D., DCMH surgeon and director of the Center for Breast Health at DCMH.

Both of Crozer-Keystone’s cancer centers are accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer with Commendation, and are affiliated with Fox Chase Cancer Center through the Fox Chase Crozer-Keystone Cancer Partnership. Crozer has also been named a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.

Call 1-866-5-CK-XRAY (1-866-525-9729) or visit http://ckimaging.crozer.org to schedule a prompt appointment for a mammogram or any other medical imaging service at a Crozer-Keystone Health System facility.

Call 1-866-695-HOPE (1-866-695-4673) or visit http://ckcancer.crozer.org to schedule a prompt appointment with a Crozer-Keystone specialist who treats cancer patients.