Mary Stutts, RTR(M), program
coordinator, lays a MammoPad
onto the plate for softer
mammograms.
Taking the next step
AS PART OF BEAUFORT MEMORIAL’S
commitment to excellence in can-
cer care, plans are under way for
the new Women’s Imaging Center to
pursue the goal of accreditation by
the American College of Surgeons
as a Breast Care Center. Next steps
on the journey are being coordi-
nated through the team eforts of
Daniel Mock, Senior Director, and
Connie Duke, RN, OCN, Oncology
Program Director.
“Tis is a signifcant undertak-
ing,” says Mrs. Duke. “Tere are
many components included in the
checklist to ensure that the best
diagnosis, treatment and follow-up
care is provided. Currently, we have
many of those components in place,
and others need to be clarifed and
formally developed.”
Mrs. Duke points out that the
new Women’s Imaging Center has
moved the program a long way
toward meeting accreditation
standards, and credits Mock with
that. He worked with physicians
and staf members to ensure that
the new Women’s Imaging Center
would provide a superior level of
service to patients and their doc-
tors. Shortly after opening, the
center welcomed the inclusion of a
surgeon who sees patients there fve
days a week.
“Having a surgeon on the
premises represents best practice
treatment for our patients,” says
Mock. “Since our radiologists read
the flms immediately, they have a
surgeon right there in case there
is some question about the results.
If the patient wants to meet with
the surgeon while she is there to
discuss next steps, she can. Care
is better coordinated and moves
along more smoothly.”
Te Center’s new Breast Care
Coordinator, Jackie Brown, RN,
agrees. She recently joined Ronda
O’Connell, RN, who has been work-
ing as the hospital’s only navigator.
Tey work closely with patients
with breast issues, generally
through a referral from a physician.
With specialized training, Beaufort
Memorial’s breast care coordina-
tors consult with each patient to
determine their particular needs
and fnd ways to assist them.
WOMEN’S IMAGING CENTER
Our center is seeking accreditation as part
of its greater goal of improving and coordinating
breast health services in the Lowcountry.
Call 843-522‑5015 to make an appointment.
“Our job is to guide them
through their diagnosis,” Brown
says. “If a woman has an abnormal
mammogram, there is a possibil-
ity that she will need to have a
biopsy. Tat is a scary thing to hear.
I’m there to help calm her fears,
because it’s not automatically bad
news.
“Most biopsies come back as
normal. However, if the biopsy is
abnormal, we can guide them to the
resources a woman might need. We
can facilitate scheduling, provide
pre- and postoperative planning
and education, and can even coor-
dinate follow-up care.”
As breast health services have
developed, they continue to im-
prove as they move down the path
of interdisciplinary care. Surgeons
will be more involved with Duke
Medicine through biweekly tumor
conferences. Other areas of focus
will be genetic evaluation and
management, data management,
research, and survivorship.
“Our goal is to meet the require-
ments for accreditation by the end
of 2012,” says Mock. “With the team
we have, I feel we will meet that.”
Doctor Referral Service: 888-522-5585 • Health Scene
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