FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACT: Theresa Mulkins, Director of Public Relations
OFFICE: (845) 483-6418
tmulkins@health-quest.org   

Poughkeepsie, NY – August 14, 2012 – Health Quest is proud to announce that The Breast Center at the Dyson Center for Cancer Care has been granted a three-year/full accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance.

This is the most recent recognition for the Dyson Center which also boasts a designation by the American College of Surgeons as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center, as well as designations as a Breast Center of Excellence and fully accredited Radiation Oncology Program by the American College of Radiology.

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. A breast center that achieves NAPBC accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease.

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.

More information regarding Health Quest Cancer Care including programs and services at the Dyson Center is available at www.health-quest.org. For more information about the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, visit their Web site at www.accreditedbreastcenters.org.

Health Quest is the Mid-Hudson Valley's largest healthcare system providing the highest quality care across a broad spectrum of services. Offering the full range of hospital services, pre-hospital emergency care, homecare and nursing home care, the Health Quest system provides immediate and caring service to the one million people who reside in the New York counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, Putnam and northern Westchester.

Health Quest hospitals include Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel and Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, as well as Health Quest Medical Practice. Health Grades, a leading hospital ratings organization, recently acknowledged Health Quest as “the most recognized health system in the Hudson Valley”.

About the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers

The NAPBC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to the improvement of the quality of care and monitoring of outcomes of patients with diseases of the breast.  This mission is pursued through standard-setting, scientific validation, and patient and professional education.  Its board membership includes professionals from 15 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of breast care. 

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