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Clarian North's Breast Care Services Receive National Accreditation


10/06/2009

CARMEL, Ind.—Clarian North Medical Center’s Breast Care program in Carmel has been 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. Clarian North is the first hospital in Indiana to receive this accreditation.

“We are honored to receive this designation and believe it is a result of the hard work, dedication and commitment our staff has to each patient,” said Dr. Patricia Kennedy, Medical Director of Clarian North’s Breast Care program. “We plan to continue providing all of our patients with the high-quality continuum of care they deserve as they face breast cancer or other breast health concerns.”

Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care. To qualify for the designation, the breast care program and its staff undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. The program must prove that it provides comprehensive care that includes diagnostic, treatment and support services. Clarian North’s certified breast health navigator personally guides each patient through the care process once the patient has been diagnosed. The navigator ensures that comprehensive care and support resources are available throughout treatment and beyond.

During the accreditation 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.

Unfortunately, the battle against breast disease is not one that will soon go away. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that there would be 192,569 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2009 and an estimated 40,470 women would die from it. In addition, hundreds of thousands of women who will deal with benign breast disease this year will require medical evaluation for treatment options.

Receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center like Clarian North Medical Center ensures that a patient will have access to:
Comprehensive care, from state-of-the-art digital breast imaging to survivorship care,

A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options,

Support services, including complementary therapy and an oncology social worker,

Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options,

And, most importantly,
Quality breast care close to home.

“The best defense against breast cancer is early detection,” said Dr. Kennedy. “It is imperative that women over 40 have annual mammograms to allow for early detection of cancer, which in turn, provides the best chance for recovery.”

To schedule a mammogram, see a breast specialist, or have a high risk consultation, please call Clarian North Breast Care at 317-688-3158. Learn more about Clarian North's Breast Care Services.