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)
