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Southcoast Cancer Treatment Program Accredited, Begins Thoracic
Oncology Clinic
Southcoast Health System recently
received highly coveted accreditation from the American College
of Surgeons Commission on Cancer for its system-wide oncology
program.
This is the first time Southcoast has received such an endorsement as a system. Previously, Charlton Memorial and St. Luke's hospitals received accreditation individually.
The prestigious approval affirms that Southcoast meets high standards of cancer care at all levels from prevention, early diagnosis, evaluation, staging, treatment, rehabilitation and surveillance of recurrent disease.
Certification also covers non-medical aspects of cancer care, including psychosocial support and end-of-life care. It includes inpatient and outpatient services.
"Having this accreditation tells the community, especially our oncology patients, that we provide quality service here at Southcoast and that we have met all the standards set by the American College of Surgeons," said Frances Fuller, RN, Director of Oncology & Specialty Services. "We are now in the process of enhancing our services to standardize care at all the sites."
The American College of Surgeons website reports that only 25 percent of the hospitals in the United States have accredited programs and that 82 percent of newly diagnosed patients receive their care in certified institutions.
Oncology services are provided at The Jarabek Center for Diagnosis & Treatment at Charlton Memorial Hospital, The Oncology Center in North Dartmouth, St. Luke's Hospital and the outpatient department at Tobey Hospital.
The Oncology Center is a joint service of Southcoast Hospitals Group, Saint Anne's Hospital and Longwood Radiation Oncology Center/Harvard Medical School.
As part of Southcoast's commitment to cancer care in the community, new multidisciplinary teams of doctors, nurses and affiliated health professionals have been formed to address particularly serious cancer problems affecting our communities.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Health, lung cancer is more prevalent in South Coast communities than in the rest of the state -- about 16 percent higher in the greater Fall River and New Bedford areas and 33 percent higher in the Wareham area.
To address this serious health issue, the Thoracic Oncology Clinic at The Oncology Center and St. Luke's Hospital meets bi-monthly to coordinate and plan care for patients.
The disciplines of surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, radiology and nursing come together to formulate the best individual plan for each patient. A registered nurse plays a central role in gathering pertinent patient care data and expediting appointments to minimize delays in care and patient anxiety.
"The conference provides a simple and convenient referral process, which provides patients with an efficient and timely consultation and treatment plan," Fuller said.
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