Breast Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven receives national accreditation

12/9/11 — The Breast Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven has been granted a three-year full accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), an accrediting body administered by the American College of Surgeons. The Center's affiliation with Yale Cancer Center makes it the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in New England to also have the NAPBC accreditation.

‘We're very pleased that the Breast Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital has received this national recognition," said Anees Chagpar, MD, director, Breast Center, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven. "Now, we are not only recognized for having some of the finest minds trying to find the latest cancer treatments as a leading academic research institution — but also for delivering the highest quality comprehensive patient-centered care."

Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care and undergo a rigorous evaluation process. During the survey, 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.

"I have surveyed many good programs," said Arnold H. Herman, MD, a surveyor for the NAPBC and the Commission on Cancer, "and a few great programs, but this is the first superlative program I have seen...it is clearly a ‘best practice.'"

Receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center ensures that a patient will have access to comprehensive care, including a full range of the most advanced services; a multidisciplinary team approach to treatment; information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options.

"Connecticut has the second highest rate of breast cancer in the country," said Dr. Chagpar. "To have an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center with an NAPBC-accredited breast center right here at home is a reflection of our commitment to our patients and our community, and our dedication to providing them with the pinnacle of quality in terms of breast cancer research and treatment."

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers is a consortium of national, professional organizations dedicated to the improvement of the quality of care and the monitoring of outcomes for patients with diseases of the breast.

Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), part of Yale New Haven Health, is a nationally recognized, 1,541-bed, not-for-profit hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Yale School of Medicine (YSM). Founded as the fourth voluntary hospital in the U.S. in 1826, today, YNHH has two New Haven-based campuses, and also includes Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital. YNHH has received Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence. YNHH has a combined medical staff of about 4,500 university and community physicians practicing in more than 100 specialties. www.ynhh.org