Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas was once again nationally recognized as a top performing cancer program by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons. To achieve the three-year accreditation with commendation, Texas Health Dallas met 34 quality care standards, completed a successful survey and continually met the quality level of comprehensive patient-centered care.
A few of the cancer program team members responsible for the recent achievement from the Commission on Cancer. (Pictured) Patricia Kelly, Leslie McNeil, Jennifer Caldwell, Carolyn Jones-Garrett, Hollie Shuler and Micki Hollenbeck.
The CoC is comprised of a group of professional organizations and establishes performance measures for the delivery of quality cancer care. The accreditation is recognized by organizations such as The Joint Commission, American Cancer Society, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the National Cancer Institute, among others.
“This is our fourth consecutive survey to achieve full accreditation with commendation,” said Mary Wylie, director of Oncology at Texas Health Dallas. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our physicians on the medical staff, nurses, clinical pharmacists, therapists and many other health professionals.”
The hospital has also received the prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award during the past three consecutive surveys which recognizes program efforts in the five key areas including cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, cancer conferences, clinical management and quality improvement.
Because Texas Health Dallas is part of the accreditation program, patients have the opportunity to receive a full spectrum of cancer care through programs focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, cancer staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, life-long follow up for recurrent disease and end of life care.
“Our team approach to treating cancer allows us to provide our patients and their families with an individualized plan of action that cares for them as a whole, not just the disease,” said Dr. Pat Fulgham, medical director of Oncology at Texas Health Dallas. “We are here for our patients at every step of their journey, whether finding the right support group or working with the nurse navigator to schedule treatments and assist with medication questions.”
Currently, construction is underway for a new 49,000-square-foot comprehensive cancer center scheduled to open in late 2014. The center will provide patients with clinical services including chemotherapy, radiation, an outpatient pharmacy, imaging and a teaching kitchen to provide dietary education. In addition, the space will house Cancer Support Community North Texas, offering expanded social and emotional support services, a children’s program, educational seminars and lectures, activities such as yoga, Thai Chi, art therapy, and social events for anyone impacted by cancer — all free of charge.
To learn more about the cancer program at Texas Health Dallas, visit texashealth.org/dallas-cancer .
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas is an 898-bed acute care hospital and recognized clinical program leader, having provided compassionate care to the residents of Dallas and surrounding communities since 1966. US News and World Report has ranked Texas Health Dallas among the nation’s best hospitals in digestive disorders, orthopedics, and neurology and neurosurgery. An affiliate of the faith-based, nonprofit Texas Health Resources system, Texas Health Dallas has approximately 4,000 employees and an active medical staff of more than 1,000 physicians. For more information, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit www.TexasHealth.org.