St. Mary’s Breast Health Center: First In Quality
February 28, 2023
By: St. Mary's Health Care System
Categories: Breast Health
First in region to receive certification under two quality assurance programs.
St. Mary’s Breast Health Center recently became the first dual-certified breast center in our region. We asked Dr. Kathleen Jeffery, breast surgeon and the center’s medical director, what that means for patients, the center, and our community.
First, which agencies have certified St. Mary’s Breast Health Center?
Our first certification was from the National Quality Measures for Breast CentersTM (NQMBC), a program of the National Consortium of Breast Centers. Then, in January, we were accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), which is a quality program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Our center is now the first and only dual-accredited breast center in our region.
What do these certifications and accreditations mean to patients?
These quality assurance programs ensure that we’re providing the best care possible to our patients with breast cancer. We are providing the high quality care our patients expect and deserve.
Are breast centers required to be certified or accredited by these programs?
Certification and accreditation are completely voluntary. We chose to become certified and accredited because of what it means to our patients and the care we deliver.
Why go through the process with two different organizations?
The two organizations each have unique areas of expertise and focus. While there is considerable overlap, there are some important measures that one covers but the other doesn’t. Being recognized by both demonstrates that we meet or exceed the broadest and highest standards of care in the nation.
What difference does dual certification make for your patients?
Facing a cancer diagnosis is overwhelming and there are many important decisions that patients must make. Also, it’s not a quick journey. Cancer patients need a team they can depend on for years.
Our patients are like family to us and we want to be their partner as they navigate their individual breast cancer journey. With these certifications, our patients can have confidence that they are receiving the best possible treatment and on-going care from our collaborative team of breast cancer specialists.
What services does St. Mary’s Breast Health Center offer?
We provide all the services expected of an accredited breast center. I love the way NAPBC outlines what this means:
- Comprehensive, personalized and coordinated care provided by a team of specialists.
- Continuous improvements in the quality of your care
- Information about clinical trials and new treatment options
- Access to breast cancer-related information and education
- Mental health support, financial guidance, survivorship care, and other long-term services
- Ongoing monitoring of care and follow-up
What is a breast center?
I like this definition from the NQMBC: “The management of breast diseases, including the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer, requires the interaction of multiple specialists in multiple departments. These include, but are not limited to, surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, plastic surgery, physical therapy, behavioral medicine, and nursing.
While many or most of these services exist in most health systems, the idea of a breast center is to organize these services into a coordinated, integrated multidisciplinary approach for the benefit of the patient. Breast centers may have all their services available under one roof or may be a ‘center without walls,’ organizing services located at different physical sites under unified leadership.”
What is special about St. Mary’s Breast Health Center?
So many things. First, St. Mary’s showed their dedication to breast care by bringing me in to start their breast health center as our region’s first female surgeon dedicated to breast disease. In addition, as an adjunct to the care we provide to our patients with breast disease, we also offer a high-risk clinic and provide genetic counseling and testing.
Finally, we have three certified breast nurse navigators who are available at any time to help our patients. They are exceptionally good at providing emotional support during a very difficult time. They are also wonderful at helping patients better understand their condition and options, as well as planning their next steps – even scheduling appointments.
- Laura Childs, RN, BHCN, is based in our office
- Denise Williamson, RN, BSN, BHCN, is based at St. Mary’s Hospital
- Ashley Woodall, RN, BSN, CBCN, also is based at St. Mary’s Hospital
Can you tell me more about the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers?
The NAPBC represents a consortium of national, professional organizations dedicated to the quality of care of patients with diseases of the breast. Its board membership includes professionals from more than 20 national organizations that represent the full spectrum of breast care. For more information, visit https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/napbc.
Can you tell me more about the National Quality Measures for Breast CentersTM program?
The NQMBC is a quality program developed by the National Consortium of Breast CentersTM. It is a voluntary quality program that identifies quality of care measures, provides immediate access to quality information, and allows breast centers to compare their performance with other centers across the United States and beyond. You can learn more at https://www.nqmbc.org/.
What are the most important things for me to know?
1. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women: 1-in-8 will be diagnosed in her lifetime. No one is immune.
2. Early detection is paramount in diagnosing breast cancer.
- Do a breast self-exam every month. If you feel or see something abnormal, call your doctor. If you don’t have a doctor, call us and we’ll help you!
- Get a screening mammogram. How often you should get this test depends on your age, personal history, family history, and how dense your breast tissue is. Again, talk to your doctor or call us.
- If you think you are at high risk based on family history, talk to your doctor. You may be a candidate for genetic testing or high-risk surveillance.
Denial can hurt you. Putting off screening or saying “It’s probably nothing” can lead to delayed diagnosis and more difficult treatment.
Want to learn more?
- Visit our webpage
- Give us a call at (706) 425-5437
- Read other blog articles about Breast Health
Dr. Jeffery is the medical director of St. Mary’s Breast Health Center. She is a board certified surgeon who limits her practice to breast surgery. Dr. Jeffery she came to St. Mary's from Greenwood, S.C., where she served as medical director of the Breast Center at Self Regional Healthcare and as a partner in Advanced Surgical Associates. Previously, she practiced with Summit Surgical in Dahlonega, Ga., and was an assistant professor of surgery with the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
Dr. Jeffery is accepting patient appointments. A referral from a primary care physician may be required under some insurance plans. As part of St. Mary's Medical Group, St. Mary’s Breast Health Center accepts most major insurance plans and Medicare. Please contact your insurance provider for more information regarding your specific plan requirements for a specialist referral.