In October 2008, a state–of–the–art breast center will open at Heartland Regional Medical Center (HRMC). This new center will offer many benefits to patients; Radiologist Chris Looney, MD, states that three of these elements will make a huge difference: time, support and technology.
The primary purpose of the breast center is to decrease the time from receiving an abnormal mammogram result to initiating treatment from sometimes two to three months to just a matter of days.
“One of the most important things we can do is to markedly decrease the time this whole process takes,” says Dr. Looney. “If you are a patient and you have an abnormal mammogram, you are scared. You don’t need the mental anguish of waiting two weeks or more to get the word that nothing really is wrong, and if you do have cancer, there is no reason you should wait to begin treatment.”
Overall comfort to the patient is also a huge part of what the breast center will provide. Nurse Navigator Kristin Thatcher at the new breast center will have a key role in making patients feel more at ease.
“If a patient is apprehensive about an appointment, or maybe a biopsy or other test, I will go with her, to give her the emotional support she needs.” The role of nurse navigator also helps with continuity of care. “The patient will see my face, know my voice and know who I am. It is such an anxiety–ridden time, and having one familiar person to go to with questions and concerns really helps,” says Kristen. “I worked for five years at St. Joseph Oncology, and I liked the fact that I had so much interaction with the patients. I got to know them, know who they were. I knew their dog’s name, I knew their sister’s name and I knew their family. I knew things like that a patient needed to feel good for the weekend because her daughter was getting married, and we considered how we were going to make that happen. This position gives me that same kind of relationship with patients. It’s very rewarding.”
The new breast center will also have the latest in technology, including digital mammography and dedicated ultrasound. Digital mammography helps to improve the detection of cancer in women age 50 and younger with dense breasts, and the exam takes half the time of traditional mammography. Because results are digital, they can be easily sent and stored. All of the mammography, screening and diagnostic, will be done on new digital mammography equipment.
Dr. Looney and the rest of the team are forming best practices and preparing for the opening day in mid-October.
“We will be fully functional and up and running as soon as construction on the center is complete,” he says. “It’s going to be a great thing for patients. A big thanks should go to Dr. Edward Andres for his vision, the support of the hospital, the board, and especially the auxiliary.”
The HRMC Auxiliary is raising $1.5 million to fund the state–of–the–art breast center at HRMC.
“I agreed to co–chair this campaign because a center that focuses on the treatment and care of breast cancer will help so many women in our community,” says Dunavant, a breast cancer survivor. “The objective is to unite all clinical experts and diagnostic technology to be centered on the patient,” adds Sen. Shields. “Simply stated, it’s all about convenience for the patient.”
Funds raised will pay for everything from big ticket items such as building construction, new technology and equipment, to lesser expenses like cotton spa robes and educational materials. For more information on the new breast center at HRMC, or to donate online, visit www.heartland-health.com/pink.