Cancer

Blue Distinction Center for Complex and Rare Cancers

Independence Blue Cross selected AMH's Rosenfeld Cancer Center as one of the Delaware Valley's four Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare CancersSM. The Rosenfeld Cancer Center received the designation for its comprehensive inpatient cancer care programs delivered by multidisciplinary teams with subspecialty training and distinguished clinical expertise in treating complex and rare cancers, as well as, for its major surgical treatments for these rare types of cancer.

Among other selection criteria, Abington Memorial Hospital met the following thresholds necessary to be named as a Blue Distinction Center for Complex and Rare Cancers for: depth of expertise across cancer disciplines in medicine, surgery, radiation oncology, pathology and radiology and has multidisciplinary team input, including sub-specialty trained teams for complex and rare cancers; ongoing quality management and improvement programs for cancer care; an ongoing commitment to using clinical data registries and providing access to appropriate clinical research for complex and rare cancers; and sufficient volume of experience in treating rare and complex cancers.

Complex and rare cancers comprise approximately 15 percent of new cancer cases each year, making it difficult for patients to locate or research facilities with oncologic or surgical teams that are experienced in this specialty. The Blue Distinction designation helps identify these institutions.

The Rosenfeld Cancer Center Earns NAPBC Breast Center Designation

The Rosenfeld Cancer Center at Abington Memorial 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 given only to centers that have voluntarily committed to providing 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 with the full spectrum of treatments for 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.

"We are honored to be recognized for our expertise in delivering compassionate, comprehensive breast care for women with benign and malignant disease," says Linda Griska, M.D., director of breast health, Abington Memorial Hospital.

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 15 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of breast care.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that there would be 184,450 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States in 2008. In addition, hundreds of thousands of women who will deal with benign breast disease this year will require medical evaluation for treatment options.

Receiving care at an 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 quality breast care close to home.