Palmetto Health Breast Center receives accreditation from The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers
July 24, 2009
Center is the first in SC to receive award
COLUMBIA, SC – July 23, 2009 – Palmetto Health Breast Center 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. Palmetto Health is the first facility in South Carolina to receive this recognition. There are only 66 accredited Breast Centers in the United States.
Accreditation 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 center must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with any of 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.
The American Cancer Society estimated that there would be 184,450 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States in 2008. In addition, there are hundreds of thousands of women who will deal with benign breast disease this year will require medical evaluation for treatment options.
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 multi-disciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
- information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options, and
- quality breast care close to home.
Dr. Alden Sweatman, one of the directors of the Palmetto Health Breast Center and surgeon with Surgical Associates of Columbia, believes that the accreditation validates the high quality of care provided at the Breast Center. He says “It is very satisfying to know that after ten years of hard work we are being recognized by the American College of Surgeons for the outstanding quality care that we provide to the people of the Midlands. This accreditation validates that the quality of breast cancer care at our Center is equivalent to the best available anywhere in the world.”
Palmetto Health Breast Center met all 27 requirements established by NAPBC for the accreditation. The Center performs about 50,000 mammograms a year. Center features include:
- Digital mammography
- Computer assisted detection
- MRI-guided, ultrasound-guided and stereotactic breast biopsy
- Immediate results for most diagnostic patients
- Biopsy results typically within 24 hours
- Weekly breast cancer conferences for treatment planning since 1995
- Nurse Navigators who guide patients through their decision making process and treatment since 1994
- Support and educational programs including Bosom Buddies and MARYS (Meeting And Reviving Your Spirit)
- Mobile mammography
In addition to our facilities on the campuses of Palmetto Health Baptist and Palmetto Health Richland, appointments are available at all Palmetto Health locations including Palmetto Health Parkridge, Northeast Diagnostics and Southeast Diagnostics (call 296-8888), as well as our Mobile Mammography van (call 296-3868.)
For more information about the Palmetto Health Breast Center, call 803-296-CARE, or visit www.palmettohealth.org/breastcenter.
About NAPBC
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 by standard-setting, scientific validation, and patient and professional education. Its board membership includes professionals from 15 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of breast care.
