Burlington, Wis. -- Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington has been granted a three-year accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. It is one of a few programs in Wisconsin to receive this designation. Only 50 centers nationwide have been accredited.

Accreditation 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 and review of their performance.

During the survey process, the hospital must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers for treating patients who have been diagnosed with breast disease. These standards include proficiency in center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement. A breast center that achieves accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease. Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington met all of these standards.

"This is one more example of our commitment to providing quality care,'' said Kathy Skowlund, vice president and chief administrative officer, Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington.
"Burlington area residents can be proud that the level of care provided by Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington is among the best in the country and plays a role in setting the standard for breast centers nationwide. Many thanks to all of our caregivers who played a role in this important designation.''

Joe Majewski, M.D., general and vascular surgeon, Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington, said the accomplishment was a team effort and reflects the hospital's commitment toward providing quality breast care.

"This is a tremendous accomplishment for Burlington and reflects the high degree of commitment by all of the individuals who are involved in the program,'' he said. "Our focus remains on improving patient outcomes. By meeting these standards of care, our patients are receiving the most advanced breast care treatment available anywhere.''

Receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center ensures that a patient will have access to:

• Comprehensive care, including a full range of state-of-the-art services;
• A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options;
• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options; and most importantly,
• Quality breast care close to home.

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. The center strategically built its leadership by inviting leaders from the major disciplines that routinely work together to diagnose and treat breast disease to become part of the consortium.

Working toward one goal, this multidisciplinary group formed the board that mutually defined 27 program standards and 17 program components of care that collectively provide the most efficient and contemporary care available for patients diagnosed with diseases of the breast.

For more information about the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, visit their Web site at www.accreditedbreastcenters.org. To learn more about the comprehensive cancer services provided by Aurora Health Care, please log onto www.AuroraHealthCare.org.

Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin health care provider and a nationally recognized leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care. Aurora offers services at sites in 90 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin.

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Contact: Andy Johnson
262-767-6267
andy.johnson@aurora.org