Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC Receives Achievement Award from Hospital Association of Pennsylvania
PITTSBURGH , June 2008 — Magee-Womens Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has been honored with an award for operational excellence by the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania (HAP). The honor recognizes the hospital’s Breast Cancer Diagnostic Process Improvement, a successful multidisciplinary effort to significantly reduce wait times between suspicious findings in screening or diagnostic mammography, biopsy and diagnosis.
“The time between abnormal mammogram and breast biopsy is extremely stressful for patients, regardless of the ultimate diagnosis,” said Judy Herstine, administrator of women’s cancer services at Magee. “But as a result of this new service, women whose mammography findings are suspicious often can get their full diagnostic evaluation completed on the same day, including a breast biopsy.”
Nationally, the average wait time between an abnormal screening result and follow-up diagnostic mammogram is 20 days. Likewise, the national average wait time for scheduling a biopsy procedure once diagnostic mammogram indicates it is necessary is 19 days. Magee has been able to dramatically shorten wait times between abnormal screening and diagnostic follow-up mammogram, and provide same-day biopsy scheduling in many cases after identification of a suspicious mass. This accomplishment is the result of diligent work by a task force made up of radiologists, surgeons, administrators, technologists, nursing staff and patients to reorganize and streamline hospital procedures.
“The quality of the patient experience is extremely important to us,” said hospital President Leslie C. Davis. “Receiving this award for operational excellence from HAP is yet another indication of why Magee-Womens Hospital has long been known as the region’s premier health care resource for women.”
Each year, HAP honors the innovation, creativity and commitment to patient care of Pennsylvania’s hospitals and health systems through the HAP Achievement Awards, which showcase and share member hospital and health system innovations and best practices in a variety of areas. Sixteen winners were selected from 100 entries in 2008. Magee’s award will be conferred at a meeting of the hospital’s Board of Directors on July 14.
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