CROWN POINT Saint Anthony Medical Center recently received another medal in connection with its war on cancer.
The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons granted the hospital’s cancer program a Three-Year Approval with Commendation in five areas, following a voluntary evaluation. Saint Anthony has been accredited by the college for more than 20 years.
A letter from the commission, notifying the hospital of the results, said, in part, “Commission on Cancer approval recognizes your facility’s commitment to your community and to cancer patients seen at your facility.
“This is demonstrated by the organization of the cancer services, scope of high-quality care provided … and through a program of studies of quality and implemented changes that improve access to care and outcomes.”
Among the commended areas were quality of data, cancer-related improvements and community outreach activities
Becky Grove, manager of the Burrell Cancer Institute-Breast Care Center on the hospital campus, said the commendations show that patients can get needed treatment close to home.
“I am very pleased that the program recognizes our quality and commitment to cancer care in the community. It’s valuable that an outside, objective organization has evaluated us.”
According to the college, patients treated at a hospital that has received its accreditation have access to:
- Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.
- A multispecialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options.
- Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options.
- Access to cancer-related information, education and support.
- A cancer registry that collects data on types and stages of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up.
- Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.
- Quality care close to home.
“We have an excellent program that is a credit to everyone involved,” he added.
There are more than 1,400 commission-approved cancer programs in the nation and Puerto Rico, which represent nearly 25 percent of the hospitals in those localities. Those hospitals diagnose and/or treat 80 percent of newly diagnosed cancer patients annually, according to the commission.
Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the commission includes a consortium of 42 professional organizations nationwide dedicated to improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
Saint Anthony Medical Center is located at 1201 S. Main St. For more information, call (219) 757-6285. A cancer hotline is available at (219) 757-6394.
BREAKOUT
Saint Anthony Medical Center also received honors for 2008 from the American Cancer Society that included Five Star Investor and Five Star Community Investor awards
The community investor award is given hospitals that are aiding the cancer fight in at least five ways, through the society’s Workplace Solutions program.
Saint Anthony was honored for its efforts in:
- Providing breast and cervical cancer programs.
- Having an American Cancer Society staff member on the hospital’s Cancer Committee.
- Linking to the cancer society’s national Web site, www.cancer.org.
- Utilizing the Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program for breast cancer patients
- Becoming smoke-free and offering prevention programs such as low-cost smoking cessation and early detection and educational programs.
Saint Anthony efforts included:
- Becoming smoke-free and offering employees a low-cost smoking cessation program.
- Participation in community events, such as Daffodil Days, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Relay for Life and a Gala.
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