| For Immediate Release | Contact: Joyce Faria Brennan |
| January 27, 2006 | 508-961-5270 |
| brennanj@southcoast.org | |
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NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group has received the highly-regarded Approval with Commendation for its system-wide oncology program from the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer.
The three-year Approval with Commendation, the highest rating awarded by the Commission on Cancer, is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of performance.
"Having this accreditation tells the community, especially our oncology patients, that we provide the highest quality oncology service here at Southcoast and that we have met all of the national standards set by the American College of Surgeons," said Frances Fuller, RN, Director of Oncology & Specialty Services.
"This prestigious approval affirms that Southcoast Hospitals Group meets high standards of cancer care across our system at all levels — from prevention, early diagnosis, evaluation, staging, treatment, rehabilitation and surveillance of recurrent disease," Fuller said.
Receiving care at a Commission on Cancer-accredited facility ensures that a patient has access to comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the art services and equipment, a multi-specialty team approach, information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options, access to cancer-related information, education and support, a cancer registry that collects data on type, stage, treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up and quality of care close to home.
Certification also covers non-medical aspects of cancer care, including psychosocial support and end-of-life care. It includes inpatient and outpatient services.
There are currently only 1,400 Commisssion-approved cancer programs in the United States, representing 25 percent of the hospitals across the country.
Southcoast Hospitals provides oncology services 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.
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. Southcoast hosts screenings throughout the year at the three hospital locations and on the Southcoast Health Van. For a schedule of free screenings or programs in your area visit www.southcoast.org/calendar/.
About the Oncology Center
The Oncology Center of Dartmouth is a joint service of Southcoast Hospitals Group, Saint Anne's Hospital and Longwood Radiation Oncology Center / Harvard Medical School. The Oncology Center of Dartmouth provides comprehensive cancer care through medical oncology, radiation therapy, nutrition, social services and family support services.
About the Jarabek Center
The Jarabek Diagnostic and Treatment Center at Charlton Memorial Hospital provides quality outpatient care and support services for a full range of ambulatory medical services including oncology, hematology, administration of medications, intravenous fluid administration; as well as support and education for cancer treatment, management of side effects, pain management, emotional support for patients and their families, annual screenings for skin, prostate and colorectal cancers.
About Southcoast
Southcoast Health System, a not-for-profit charitable organization, is a community based health delivery system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of advanced health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes Southcoast Hospitals Group, formed in 1996 from the merger of Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.
Southcoast has more than 40 ancillary facilities, including the Southcoast Health Van, home health care, hospice and infusion services, numerous outpatient medical services, an assisted living facility and a wellness center. For more information visit www.southcoast.org.
Southcoast is one of three community hospitals approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to perform open heart surgery and primary angioplasty beginning in Spring 2002.
Media Contact
Joyce Faria Brennan
Phone: 508-961-5270
Pager: 508-387-9605
Fax: 508-961-5876
brennanj@southcoast.org
