Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
 
BREAST CARE AT JEFFERSON HOSPITAL

Breast Care Quality Statement

Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Care team

A multidisciplinary team is composed of members from different healthcare professions with specialized skills and expertise. The members coordinate and communicate with each other to provide quality patient care. Coordination and teamwork among clinicians results in greater efficiency and improved clinical outcomes. (Journal of Healthcare Quality)

A multidisciplinary breast cancer team includes: medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, nurses, nutritionists, counselors, and other cancer specialists. With the complexity of cancer care, these specialized healthcare professionals help to provide a continuum of care through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. (Mayo Clinic Proceedings)

  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has a highly-trained multidisciplinary team that works well together, collaborates, and communicates closely to meet the individual needs of breast cancer patients. Members of our comprehensive cancer care team include: medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, plastic surgeons, pathologists, psychologists/ psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, registered nurses (RN), nutritionists, physical therapists, pharmacists, clinical nurse specialists, pastoral care, medical social workers, lymphedema therapists, patient navigators, breast care coordinators and genetics nurse specialists.

Cancer Center Certification

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) recognizes hospitals and healthcare facilities that have cancer programs offering high-quality cancer care. CoC approval is given only to those facilities that have committed to provide the best cancer diagnosis and treatment. To meet the standards necessary for CoC approval, each cancer program, and the organization that controls it, must undergo a rigorous evaluation and performance review. In order to maintain approval, facilities with approved cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years. (American Cancer Society)

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) supports major academic and research institutions throughout the US to sustain broad based, coordinated, interdisciplinary programs in cancer research. These institutions are characterized by scientific excellence and capability to integrate a diversity of research approaches to focus on cancer. The NCI and its Cancer Center Program are dedicated to the advancement of cancer research to ultimately impact on the reductions of cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality.

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Cancers (NAPBC) is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to the improvement of the quality of care and monitoring of outcomes of patients with disease of the breast. Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given 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. The center must demonstrate compliance with the standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease. These standards include proficiency in the areas of: center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement.

  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Certifications: NCI, CoC, NAPBC

Support Services for Breast Cancer Patients

Support Services include a variety of services and resources that help patients and their families deal with the diagnosis of breast cancer. Support services address the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. Cancer care is composed of a spectrum of services, ranging from prevention and early detection through diagnosis and treatment, as well as end-of-life care. (Journal of Nursing Care Quality)

  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital recognizes the importance of addressing cancer-related patient needs by providing comprehensive support services, including the following: resource center/ library, nurse educator, social work services, Reach to Recovery programs, support groups, physical therapy, exercise programs, occupational care, hospice care, palliative care, multidisciplinary planning committee, lymphedema therapy, educational program, Feel Good Look Good ACS program, and wig service through patient services.

Physician Board Certification

A board-certified physician has completed an approved educational training program and an evaluation process including an examination designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to provide quality patient care in that specialty. A specialty certificate is issued by a medical certifying board. Although certification is not required for an individual physician to practice medicine, most hospitals and manage care organizations require that at least a certain percentage of their staff be “board certified.” Today approximately 85 percent of licensed physicians are certified by one or more ABMS Member Boards. (American Board of Medical Specialties)

  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital requires board certification for all physicians in the following medical specialties: medical oncologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists specializing in breast imaging, and surgeons.

Chemotherapy Competency Requirement for Registered Nurses (RN)

  • At Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, patients receiving chemotherapy are cared for by nurses with special education and training in chemotherapy administration. Chemotherapy is administered according to the Oncology Nursing Society Guidelines. In addition, all nurses who administer chemotherapy must attend annual or biannual update classes related to the administration of chemotherapy.

Breast Cancer Screening and Detection Services

According to the National Cancer Institute screening guidelines, women in their 40s and older should begin having a screening mammogram on a regular basis, every one to two years. But the American Cancer Society recommends by age 40, women should have a screening mammogram every year.

  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital provides a full range of breast cancer screening and detection services for breast cancer. These include: mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), digital mammograms, breast biopsies, genetic testing, and community breast cancer education programs. 

Advanced Techniques for Staging Breast Cancer

Various tests may be utilized after the diagnosis of breast cancer to determine the stage of the cancer. The types of test used will be based on the extent of the cancer, and on the results of the history and physical examinations. (National Comprehensive Cancer Network)  

  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital offers advanced techniques to determine the stage of the cancer once a diagnosis of breast cancer has been made. These include: bone scans, CT scans (computed tomography), MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), PET scans (positron emission tomography), biopsy tissue results, estrogen receptors, sentinel node biopsies, and axillary node dissections.

Treatment Options after the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer treatment can be complex and requires close communication and coordination among highly-trained multispecialty team members. Guidelines published by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) state that there are a variety of treatments and that patient participation is a major part of the decision-making process.

  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital offers a full range of treatment options after the diagnosis of breast cancer including: surgical treatments, reconstructive surgery, radiation treatments (external and internal), bone marrow transplant services, systemic treatments, and clinical trial options.

Availability of Clinical Trials and Research

  • At Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, clinical trials and research are available for participation by breast patients. These trials include: treatment trials, prevention trials, screening trials, and quality of life trials.
  • The cancer care team at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital also provides information and refers breast care patients to appropriate outside clinical trials or research studies.