As part of the membership process, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute clinicians and other specialists conducted an extensive review of EMMC Cancer Care’s outpatient adult medical oncology practices and procedures, including patient safety protocols, nursing and pharmacy practices, chemotherapy administration, and information systems.
Membership in the collaborative enhances educational opportunities for staff, and offers opportunities for consultation with medical specialists at Dana-Farber in Boston for complex cases. In addition, many of the latest Dana-Farber clinical trials will be available in Maine for patients at EMMC Cancer Care.
“This collaboration will benefit our patients, staff, and community,” said Deborah Carey Johnson, RN, CEO of Eastern Maine Medical Center. “To be recognized for our quality of care by an institution like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is also a testament to the quality of care provided by our team. They’re truly a remarkable group.”
“Our mission is to help relieve the burden of cancer for as many people as possible,” said Laurie Glimcher, MD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “We do this by conducting research to develop better therapies, by providing expert and compassionate care for our patients, and by working with other carefully selected care providers. We are very pleased to welcome this important new member of the Dana-Farber Cancer Care Collaborative and look forward to our work together.”
Dana-Farber Cancer Care Collaborative was established to help disseminate the latest and most effective, evidence-based best practices and standards to member hospitals and physician practices. Members undergo a rigorous review of their oncology operations, and agree to implement key recommendations to meet Dana-Farber standards. Members also take advantage of ongoing consultations and access to support services, such as on-site specialty second opinion clinics, clinical trials, tumor board conferences and physician lectures.
In addition, EMHS (of which EMMC is a member) is also becoming an affiliate of Dana-Farber, which will enable streamlined access to Dana-Farber in Boston for patients with highly complex cancers. EMHS and Dana-Farber physicians will collaborate on matters concerning cancer diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and clinical trials, delivered by EMHS physicians in Maine.
“Collaboration knows no boundaries, especially when it comes to ensuring the people of Maine have access to the highest quality of care,” said Michelle Hood, EMHS president and CEO. “I am pleased that this collaboration will help to support a seamless experience for our patients. Drawing on the world-renowned expertise of Dana-Farber will directly benefit so many people in our communities.”
About Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteFrom achieving the first remissions in childhood cancer with chemotherapy in 1948, to developing the very latest new therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of the world’s leading centers of cancer research and treatment. It is the only center ranked in the top 4 of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals for both adult and pediatric cancer care. Dana-Farber sits at the center of a wide range of collaborative efforts to reduce the burden of cancer through scientific inquiry, clinical care, education, community engagement, and advocacy. Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center provides the latest in cancer care for adults; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center for children. The Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center unites the cancer research efforts of five Harvard academic medical centers and two graduate schools, while Dana-Farber Community Cancer Care provides high quality cancer treatment in communities outside Boston’s Longwood Medical Area. Dana-Farber is dedicated to a unique, 50/50 balance between cancer research and care, and much of the Institute’s work is dedicated to translating the results of its discovery into new treatments for patients locally and around the world.
About EMMC Cancer Care
EMMC Cancer Care combines the expertise of hematology, medical, and radiation oncology physicians along with specialized staff to deliver state of the art, high quality compassionate care to cancer patients throughout the northern two-thirds of Maine. EMMC Cancer Care is accredited at the highest level by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, and in 2015, was named one of only 75 facilities to receive an Outstanding Achievement Award for setting industry standards for research, quality, prevention, and education. For more information, visit cancer.emmc.org.
About EMHS
EMHS, based in Brewer, Maine is an integrated health delivery system covering approximately 70 percent of the land mass in the state and serving more than 40 percent of the state’s residents. The system’s broad range of services includes nine hospitals, physician practices, long-term care facilities, home health and hospice, and emergency transport services by ground and air. For more information, visit www.emhs.org.
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