Baton Rouge General Earns NAPBC Re-Accreditation for Breast Services

BATON ROUGE, La. - Baton Rouge General’s (BRG) Pennington Cancer Center has been awarded a three-year/full re-accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. In 2009, BRG’s cancer program was the first in Louisiana to be granted accreditation by NAPBC.

“Our accreditation by NAPBC is the latest in a long history of firsts for Pennington Cancer Center,” said BRG President and CEO Edgardo Tenreiro. “This recognition demonstrates the exceptional care provided at our Woman’s Center for patients with breast cancer.”

This re-accreditation comes after BRG announced plans to centralize its cancer services, including radiation, chemotherapy, imaging, clinic space, hematology/oncology, nutritional support, and clinical trials. The hospital also opened The Healing Boutique in March, a first-of-its-kind retail shop, offering supplies and resources for both men and women with all types of cancer.

“Second to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. In 2017, nearly 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in women were breast cancers,” said Dr. Everett Bonner, BRG’s Medical Director of Breast Cancer Services and cancer liaison for the American College of Surgeons. “In addition to state-of-the-art treatment and diagnostic 3-D imaging, our patients have access to a patient navigator, information on clinical trials, genetic counseling, social support, and physical rehabilitation.”

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. 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.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with 588 licensed beds between two campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General serves as an affiliate of Tulane University School of Medicine, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter at @BRGeneral

About NAPBC
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 20 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of breast care.

###