Portland, MAINE (June 10, 2011)- Breast Care Specialists of Maine, a department of Mercy Hospital, has received a full, three-year accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), which is administered by the American College of Surgeons. Only breast centers that provide the highest level of diagnosis and treatment nationally are eligible for the distinction.
NAPBC accreditation was granted to Breast Care Specialists of Maine, after the program volunteered to undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of its performance and compliance with NAPBC’s standards. The review found Breast Care Specialists of Maine to be 100 percent compliant in all areas.
“This accreditation is a validation of the expertise and level of professionalism that our staff brings to work each day,” said Dr. Melinda Molin, director of the center. “We are honored to be recognized as one of the best breast care centers in the country. The accreditation shows that our clinical ability is every bit as strong as our concern for patients as individuals.”
Inspectors from the NAPBC consider six broad areas, when they look at whether to provide accreditation: Center Leadership, Clinical Management, Research, Community Outreach, Professional Education and Quality Improvement. Within those broad areas, the center must meet 27 specific standards, such as how they help patients through the process, conduct and manage diagnostic tests and constantly seek to improve the quality of their work.
Located at new offices in the Fore River Medical Building of Mercy Hospital, Breast Care Specialists of Maine offers accurate consultation and compassionate treatment for benign and malignant breast conditions. Patients have access to:
- The complete spectrum of breast care services, from regular screenings and diagnostic testing to help in preparing for surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments. Services include digital mammography, breast ultrasound, BRCA Genetic Testing, Stereotactic Biopsy, Breast MRI, Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and access to clinical trials. There is coordinated care with off-site radiation oncologists, as well as plastic surgeons.
- A team of leading medical professionals. This includes Dr. Molin, who was recently recognized as a Great Woman of Maine for her pioneering work in improving breast care treatment statewide and Dr. Suzanne Hoekstra, who has achieved a Mastery of Breast Surgery distinction through the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
- Personalized guidance with the help of Nurse Navigators. Under this model, a specific nurse will follow a patient throughout their course of treatment, from their initial visit through their discharge from the hospital. These nurses are responsible for hands-on activities such as wound checks and pre/post-operative counseling.
- A state-of-the-art, convenient-to-use facility. Oncology, a pharmacy and infusion services are all in the same building as Breast Care Specialists of Maine. Clinical trials, genetic testing, nutrition counseling and social workers are all available, as well, making it more convenient and private for patients to access services.
- Rapid access to top-quality services. Test results are provided to the referring physician quickly and accurately. When cancer is detected, an appointment is scheduled within 48 hours.
Breast Care Specialists of Maine has been on the forefront of breast care treatment since 1996, when Dr. Molin founded the program. The center itself has a comfortable, homey atmosphere and is designed with patient privacy and comfort in mind. There is a back door to the mammography area from the center’s offices. Minor procedures and counseling take place right at the center; everything from surgical biopsy to coordinated mastectomy with breast reconstruction is performed next door at the Fore River Hospital.
The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers is 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. Its interdisciplinary board includes membership from 16 organizations, including the American Board of Surgery, American Cancer Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
In addition to this new distinction for Breast Care Specialists of Maine, the Oncology Department of Mercy Hospital has been accredited through the Commission on Cancer, receiving their three-year approval with commendation.
“I am proud of all the hard work and concern for patients that has gone into building a program of distinction, as recognized by this National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers accreditation,” said Eileen Skinner, president and CEO of Mercy Hospital. “This recognition is a reflection of the high-quality, compassionate care that Mercy provides to patients.”
About Mercy Health System of Maine
Mercy Health System of Maine includes Mercy Hospital, Gary’s House, McAuley Residence, Mercy Recovery Center, and VNA Home Health & Hospice. Together, our campuses throughout southern Maine offer a broad range of medical and surgical services, as well as primary and specialty care to provide a continuum of care for our patients. For more information on Mercy, please call (207) 879-3486.
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Contact:
Susan Rouillard
Mercy Hospital
(207) 879-3487
