The Westerly Hospital awarded for its cancer program

WESTERLY, Rhode Island, December 12, 2011 - After a rigorous review in August 2011 by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, The Westerly Hospital has been awarded  a “Three Year with Commendation” approval for its cancer program.

Approval by the Commission is given only to those healthcare facilities that voluntarily commit to meeting Commission standards in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.  Hospital activities relating to prevention, early diagnosis, pretreatment evaluation, staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, surveillance for recurrent disease and multiple primary tumors, psychosocial support and end-of-life care must meet the Commission standards in order for approval to be granted.  Hospitals with approved cancer programs are re-surveyed by the American College of Surgeons every three years, which helps hospitals ensure that high-quality cancer care continues to be offered.

Only one in four hospitals that treat cancer patients receives Commission approval.  Of these hospitals, only 40% receive full approval or approval-with-commendation.  The Westerly Hospital achieved a commendation-level grade approval in five out of nine possible areas including prevention and early detection, cancer education for cancer registry staff, and cancer-related quality improvements. 

The Westerly Hospital’s cancer care program is overseen by a multidisciplinary cancer committee chaired by Robert Legare, MD, an oncologist at The Westerly Hospital. Dr. Legare is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine and OB/GYN at Brown University School of Medicine as well as the Medical Director of the Cancer Risk Assessment and Prevention Program at Women and Infants Hospital.  The Hospital’s cancer committee is made up of members from various areas including:  medicine, community outreach, nursing, quality improvement, radiology, and others. 

In 2011, Rebecca Vanasse, MD, an oncologist at The Westerly Hospital and member of the  cancer committee, received a three-year appointment as Cancer Liaison Physician for the cancer program at the Hospital.  Dr. Vanasse is among a national network of over 1,600 volunteer physicians responsible for providing leadership and direction to establish, maintain, and support their facilities' accredited cancer program.  In her role as liaison for The Westerly Hospital, she is responsible for spearheading Commission initiatives within the Hospital’s cancer program as well collaborating with agencies, such as the American Cancer Society, and facilitating quality improvement initiatives. 

The Westerly Hospital offers a comprehensive range of cancer services and the latest advancements in cancer diagnosis, surgery, treatment, and follow-up care including:  state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging services including digital mammography, stereotactic guided biopsy, PET/CT Scan, and others; a patient-oriented infusion center staffed by nurses specially trained to administer chemotherapy and other blood products: a breast cancer board and a cancer tumor board made up of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists and pathologists who review diagnosis and treatment of each patient with breast cancer or cancer of any type; rehabilitative services; a wide range of supportive services, including a patient resource center, support groups, and social services; and free community education programs offered each year that promote early cancer detection.

For more information on the cancer services offered at The Westerly Hospital visit www.westerlyhospital.org or call 401-348-2300 or 1-800-933-5960, extension 3423.

The Westerly Hospital is a 125-bed hospital that provides Washington (RI) and New London (CT) County residents a wide array of medical, surgical, laboratory and rehabilitative services using state-of-the-art technology in an intimate, community hospital setting. With 135 primary and specialty physicians dedicated to the patients they serve, the hospital has earned one of the highest patient satisfaction rankings in the country.