UTMB was recently notified that it has earned national reaccreditation for the highest level of breast care. The three-year designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, a program administered by the American College of Surgeons, is given only 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.
Dr. Colleen Silva is the medical director of UTMB’s Breast Health and Imaging Center in League City.
“UTMB’s mantra is ‘Working together to work wonders,’ and our recent reaccreditation is a perfect example of that collaboration,” said Silva. “We are a multidisciplinary team of breast surgeons, breast radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and plastic reconstructive surgeons who work every day to design the best treatment options for each breast cancer patient we treat. Our team also includes social workers, patient navigators, occupational therapists, integrative oncology specialists, gynecologic oncologists and oncology-certified nurses. This NAPBC reaccreditation is a public recognition of our ongoing focus on all aspects of the patient’s care."
Jennifer Baer, UTMB’s director for nursing quality, can attest to the quality of care and compassion provided by the breast center. A former oncology nurse, chief quality officer and patient safety officer at UTMB, she also became a patient five years ago when she was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer.
“I chose to stay here at UTMB for treatment because we not only follow all the same protocols as
other top cancer centers in Houston, but our breast center goes the extra mile to make each individual patient feel incredibly supported and important,” said Baer. “Sometimes care givers don’t realize that taking five minutes and sitting down and listening to their patient makes all the difference. If they seem hurried, then you feel like they don’t care. I have to say that every one of the physicians and nurses who worked with me made sure that I felt like I was their biggest priority at that moment. Not only are they experts in what they do, but Dr. Silva and her team balance that with respect and compassion.”
UTMB earned its first three-year accreditation designation by the NAPBC in 2012.
Each center with NAPBC accreditation has undergone a rigorous application process and onsite survey to ensure that it meets the criteria for 27 standards in such categories as leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement. In addition, the NAPBC-accredited centers have documented that they provide 17 key components that contribute to high-quality patient care.
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. For more information about the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, go to www.accreditedbreastcenters.org. For information about UTMB's Breast Health and Imaging Center visit www.utmbhealth.com/breasthealth.