UTMB has been granted a three-year, full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.
Accreditation by the NAPBC, 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.
“We are honored to have earned this accreditation. It’s a tremendous testament to the dedication and commitment that we have to delivering the best possible care,” said Donna K. Sollenberger, executive vice president and CEO of the UTMB Health System.
Dr. Courtney Townsend, chairman of surgery, praised the breast center’s accomplishments. “Our patients’ care remains our No.1 priority and this achievement further validates our commitment to fight breast disease,” he said.
During the survey process, a 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.
“I’m so proud of all the dedicated men and women at UTMB who care for our patients and who worked so hard to make this possible,” said Dr. Colleen Silva, medical director of the UTMB Breast Health and Imaging Center at Victory Lakes.
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
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.