Radiologic technologist Mary R. Jackson (left), and Lori Wells, MD, medical director, St.Vincent Breast Center at Indianapolis
The National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program (NQMBC) recently recognized St.Vincent Breast Center at Indianapolis, St.Vincent Breast Center at Carmel, St.Vincent Breast Center at Medical Center Northeast, and the St.Vincent Mobile Screening Services as Certified Quality Breast Centers of Excellence – the highest certification level available from NQMBC.
St.Vincent is the first healthcare institution in central Indiana, and one of only 11 in the United States, to receive this distinction.
Mary Jackson, a radiologic technologist with St.Vincent Breast Centers, was responsible for tracking and submitting data to NQMBC for review. “In contrast with other similar programs, the NQMBC distinction is strictly performance-based,” she said. “That should resonate with patients seeking care for breast cancer and other breast health concerns.”
NQMBC evaluates breast centers according to National Quality Indicators, such as time from screening-to-diagnosis. It then compares data across health care institutions around the country. After analyzing multiple periods of data over the last three years NQMBC awarded St. Vincent the center of excellence distinction.
“The Center of Excellence label demonstrates that we are quality driven,” Jackson said. “And it shows we are challenging ourselves by being willing to have our data compared with various other breast centers across the country.”
Jackson added that she is particularly proud that all four St.Vincent locations were recognized as Centers of Excellence. “We not only accomplished this at the Indianapolis campus, but also at St.Vincent Carmel Hospital, Medical Center Northeast, and with our Mobile Screening Services. For all four of them to achieve this level of distinction really demonstrates our commitment to outstanding care at our centers.
“St.Vincent is uniquely committed to women’s health,” Jackson continued. “We have state-of-the-art technology, and we work very hard to meet all of our patients’ needs in a timely fashion. It’s all about giving them the best quality care possible.”
For more information on St.Vincent Breast Centers and the St.Vincent Mobile Screening Services, visit www.stvincent.org/Breast-Care.aspx.