Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness Receives National Quality Designation

DERBY -The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby, CT has again achieved the highest level of quality breast healthcare recognition from the American College of Surgeons.

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness was 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. The Hewitt Center was also accredited by the organization in 2013.

“The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness is a comprehensive breast center, offering patients expert staff, patient-centered care, advanced technology and all the resources and services needed to quickly and effectively screen and diagnose breast disease,” said Denise Barajas, MD, medical director of The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness. “We are very proud to be recognized again for our commitment to providing safe, exceptional and complete care to our community.”

Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that provide the highest level of quality breast care and that voluntarily 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 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 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 20 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of breast care.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that there would be 232,340 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States in 2013. In addition, hundreds of thousands of women who will deal with benign breast disease this year will require medical evaluation for treatment options by a breast center.

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 multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options

•         Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options

•         Quality breast care close to home.

For more information about the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, visit their Web site at www.accreditedbreastcenters.org.

About The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital opened in 2011 and primarily serves the Lower Naugatuck Valley and surrounding communities. It combines state-of-the-art technology, a team of highly trained physicians and staff, and a Planetree healing environment to offer patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services.  The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness features two state-of-the-art digital mammography suites with 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) capability, a breast ultrasound suite, and the most advanced system available to perform stereotactic biopsy.  The Center also utilizes a rapid diagnostic model where patients are often given test results the same day imaging tests are performed, and if indicated, follow up testing (ultrasound, breast biopsy) and even consultation with a breast surgeon are often available the same day if the patient’s schedule permits. For more information, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)