The Breast Health Center at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, a Care New England hospital, 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.
During the survey process, the Breast Health Center demonstrated 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.
Best practice designation was received for eight standards, including Women & Infants’ Women’s Intimacy and Sexual Health Center (WISH) and the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program. The surveyor noted the depth and strength of the program, including the interdisciplinary breast cancer conference, a weekly assembly of specialists who consider each woman’s case individually. The surveyor noted, “One of the best conferences I have ever observed. Evidence based but with room for discussion and respectful differences of opinion in controversial cases.”
The surveyors also commented on the pathology reports, saying, “Excellent path(ology) reports and integration of path(ology) into the program for both benign and malignant disease. Outstanding pathology support of conference.”
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.
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 on Women & Infants’ Breast Health Center, call (401) 453-7540.