Vista now becomes only the third such accredited breast center in Lake County. Vista’s entire cancer program received full accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer in 2011.

  Approximately 200,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, demonstrating the need for centers that are fully qualified to provide the complete spectrum of interdisciplinary care for patients with breast disease. Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care based on a rigorous evaluation process and review. 

  “Vista’s Center for Breast Health brings high quality breast cancer care to the doorsteps of patients in northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin,” said Barbara J. Martin, President & Chief Executive Officer of Vista Health System. “Our center provides full access to board-certified oncologists, surgeons, and radiologists, as well as to Vista’s entire staff of highly trained nurses and medical technicians. We offer complete cancer care that serves breast cancer patients through a number of conveniently located inpatient and outpatient locations.” 

  The dedicated oncology inpatient unit at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan provides patients with private rooms and care by Vista’s specially trained oncology nursing staff. For outpatient services, Vista’s multiple cancer program locations offer easy access and flexible scheduling.

  Vista offers digital screening mammograms at Vista East, at Vista Imaging Centers in both Gurnee and Vernon Hills, and at the Vista Ambulatory Care Center in Lindenhurst. These locations give patients easy access to annual screening mammograms and breast diagnostic procedures, including stereotactic biopsy, ultrasound and breast MRI. Same-day or next-day screening appointments are available at each location with results typically provided the same day.

  “The real difference in breast cancer care at Vista is the relationship we build with patients,” Martin said. “We assign a breast nurse navigator who is an oncology-certified registered nurse. She is the patient’s personal advocate to solve problems, conquer the medical maze and develop a personal roadmap to recovery.”

  The American College of Surgeons sponsors the NAPBC, 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. NAPBC awards accreditation to programs that undergo a rigorous evaluation.

  During the survey process, the center must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease.  The standards include proficiency in the areas of: center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement. 

  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

·         Quality breast care close to home.