Tunnell Cancer Center
Annual Report 2010-2011

News and Accomplishments

For the third time in a row, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has granted Tunnell Cancer Center a Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation. The Commission grants this coveted designation to a cancer facility following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility must demonstrate a Commendation level of compliance with one or more standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program. These standards include cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement. Tunnell Cancer Center has consistently received accreditation from the Commission on Cancer.

In 2010, the Beebe Medical Center Board approved the development of an organization-wide Breast Center of Excellence. Breast cancer is one of the top-two cancers treated at Beebe Medical Center. This initiative is a multi-site, multidisciplinary approach to assist patients in moving seamlessly through the breast health continuum of care by enhancing collaborative networking of providers across multiple sites and services. This will improve the quality and accessibility of mammography, biopsy, and treatment processes, leading to overall patient satisfaction.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the second linear accelerator took place in the Fall of 2011.

Construction began at Tunnell Cancer Center to facilitate the installation of the second linear accelerator. This new radiation therapy system, to be available soon, will allow the center to meet the community’s growing need for cancer treatment. The Radiation Oncology Department treats between 40 to 50 patients a day, which has led to radiation treatments having to be delivered into the evening hours. A second system will mean that all patients will be scheduled during daytime hours when it is safer for elderly patients to travel.

Education is an important part of the care of the patient, not only as a prevention and early diagnostic tool, but also to help the patient, family, friends, and caregivers understand their healing and recovery after cancer. Tunnell Cancer Center has taken great strides to educate the public about cancer
and to educate patients about their individual cancer and treatment. This past year saw the launch of A Personal Resource Guide to Cancer Recovery and Survivorship. Each patient receives his or her own copy of the resource guide, which is a personalized informational and educational tool.

Tunnell Cancer Center also instituted a program called What Color is Your Ribbon, where patients and their family members and caregivers attend a presentation where together they learn about the patient’s cancer, treatment, side effects, and local supportive resources. They have the opportunity to ask questions and learn how they can support each other.

Prevention and early diagnosis also is a role for education—educating people about cancer, the importance of screenings, and how early diagnosis can lead to early treatment, which can improve patient outcomes. Over the past year the Tunnell Cancer Center’s Sharing Our Stories, Saving Our Sisters (SOS2) program provided education to 3,749 women and referred 905 women for screening mammography, of which 205 received mammography services through a grant funded by the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. The program focused on providing free breast cancer screening and education to women in minority and underserved populations in Sussex County who might otherwise not receive the healthcare that they need.