The Patricia D. and M. Scott Kaufman Cancer Center at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center has been recognized as a Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program™ (NQMBC™). The program is administered by the National Consortium of Breast Centers.
The National Quality Measures for Breast Centers™ were developed by referencing the Health Care Advisory Board's Clinical Quality Dash Board for breast centers published in fall 2004. The National Quality Measures for Breast Centers™ reflect more than 11 years of work, which has culminated in the adoption of more than 33 National Quality Indicators™.
This national accreditation represents a commitment by the Kaufman Cancer Center to provide the highest level of quality breast health care to patients in the community. The Breast Center is where quality care and compassion combine to create a unique experience for women seeking diagnostic, treatment and support services for breast health concerns. Physician experts, including a Fellowship-trained breast surgeon, a reconstructive and general surgery expert and specialists in oncology, radiology, pathology and radiation therapy bring breast care to the Harford and Cecil communities in one high quality, comprehensive and convenient location.
“I am very proud of our team’s hard work and the dedication that it took to achieve this accomplishment of accreditation of the Breast Center because it reflects the exceptional quality of care we provide to our patients," Meghan L. Milburn, MD, FACS, medical director of the Breast Center and assistant professor of surgery, Division of General and Oncologic Surgery, at University of Maryland School of Medicine. "We are able to provide outstanding care for patients in a state-of-the-art facility with expertise across all oncology disciplines (medical, surgical and radiation). I am honored to work with such a talented group of individuals.”
Measuring and comparing quality performance is essential in assessing patient care and allocating resources where improvement is desired. In today's dynamic health care industry, breast centers are faced with providing quality care while simultaneously keeping costs under control. A center's staff must not only be familiar with existing standards of care but must also be aware of new advances in technology. The Kaufman Cancer Center ensures it provides the best possible quality care to breast patients in the community.
About University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health
In December 2013, Upper Chesapeake Health became University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health. It consists of the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center and the Patricia D. and M. Scot Kaufman Cancer Center in Bel Air and the University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace. The leading health care system and largest private employer in Harford County, UM Upper Chesapeake Health offers a broad range of health care services, technology and facilities to the residents of northeastern Maryland. Visit www.umuch.org for more information.
About The National Consortium of Breast Centers
The National Consortium of Breast Centers promotes excellence in breast health care for the general public through a network of diverse professionals dedicated to the active exchange of ideas and resources. It serves as an informational resource and provides support services to those rendering care to people with breast diseases through educational programs, newsletters, a national directory and patient forums. It encourages professionals to concentrate and specialize in activities related to breast disease and encourages the development of programs and centers that address breast disease and promote breast health. It facilitates collaborative research opportunities on issues of breast health and developed a set of core measures to define, improve and sustain quality standards in breast health care programs and for quality performance in all types of breast health care facilities. For more information regarding the NQMBC™ Program, visit www.breastcare.org.
