St. Charles breast program accredited
The St. Charles Cancer Center’s Comprehensive Breast Program has received a three-year full accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, a program of the American College of Surgeons.
“Receiving this accreditation is a way to demonstrate our commitment to comprehensive cancer care from start to finish,” said Dr. Linyee Chang, a radiation oncologist and medical director of St. Charles Cancer Center. “We’re able to provide the highest level of care right here in Bend.”
St. Charles voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality breast care and underwent a rigorous evaluation process and review of its performance.
During the survey, it demonstrated 100 percent compliance with NAPBC standards for best care in treating women who are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease.
Those standards include proficiency in the areas of center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement.
Chang said St. Charles has collaborated with other providers in the community to provide coordinated care, including Central Oregon Radiology Associates, Bend Memorial Clinic, Central Oregon Pathology and Drs. Andy Higgins and Jana VanAmburg.
“The NAPBC is the highest level of recognition a facility can receive, and it is possible because multiple entities are able to come together and combine resources,” said Dr. Gary Frei, a breast surgeon specialist at Bend Memorial Clinic. “This accreditation has extraordinary benefits for people in our community seeking breast cancer care.”
In 2011, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed among women in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. During that same time, 200 women were treated for breast cancer at the St. Charles Cancer Center.
“This accreditation demonstrates what a collaborative group of diverse doctors can accomplish when patient care is put in the center,” Higgins said.
About St. Charles Health System
St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates the St. Charles medical centers in Bend and Redmond, as well as family care clinics in Bend, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters. The health system also leases and operates Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville and provides management services for Mountain View Hospital in Madras. St. Charles is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 3,000 caregivers in Bend, Redmond and Prineville. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with St. Charles to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.
