Breast center at Franklin square receives national accreditation.

The Breast Center at Franklin Square has been granted a three-year designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Franklin Square Hospital Center offers comprehensive breast care services in two locations: on the hospital campus in the White Marsh area of Baltimore County and in Harford County at the Breast Center Bel Air.

"It's rewarding to be recognized nationally for the quality of care that we provide to the members of the communities we serve," said Kristen Fernandez, MD, breast surgeon and director of the Breast Center at Franklin Square. "I would like to extend my appreciation to our entire multidisciplinary team who works together to provide our patients the very best care and outcomes possible."

Accreditation by the NAPBC is awarded only 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. 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.

More than 200,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast disease each year. Receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center ensures they 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

* Quality breast care close to home