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The American Cancer Society, one of the oldest and largest voluntary health agencies in the United States, partners with hospitals across the United States to proactively reach newly diagnosed cancer patients and their caregivers through its Patient Resource Navigation program. In the Society's South Atlantic Division, spanning Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the District of Columbia, the organization has reached a milestone, serving 10,000 cancer patients and caregivers through Patient Resource Navigation, an initiative started less than three years ago.
While both the American Cancer Society and partnering hospitals each serve thousands of patients daily, this milestone is unique to the organizations because it allows them to reach cancer patients early in the treatment decision-making process, and in some cases, immediately after diagnosis when a patient needs help the most. Through the Society's Patient Resource Navigation program, which began in August 2005, the organizations are helping cancer patients, particularly those considered underserved or part of vulnerable populations, get through the unfamiliar and overwhelming territory of cancer treatments and the complexity of hospitals. More than 1,400 of those served since the program's inception are uninsured or underinsured. "Many cancer patients, family members and caregivers are unaware of the non-clinical programs and services available to them at their own hospital, through the American Cancer Society and in their own community," said Patricia P. Hoge, RN, Ph.D., chief mission officer of the American Cancer Society's South Atlantic Division. "Patient Resource Navigators help identify these programs and services and help the patients gain access to them." While medical teams meet the health care needs of cancer patients, the Patient Resource Navigators make meaningful personal connections and offer the following:
"Many times, referrals come to us when somebody's in crisis. With the Patient Resource Navigator in place, we're getting situations before they are in crisis mode. We can get to know the patients better, if we get to know them earlier," said Donna Lewis, nurse and supervisor of the Patient Resource Navigator at Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Towson, Md. In a survey of patients served by Patient Resource Navigators, nearly 50 percent said that the program "helped make treatment easier for them," and "increased their confidence in making decisions." Nearly one-quarter of those surveyed indicated that the Society program "helped them stay on their treatment schedule." These results indicate that the Patient Resource Navigation program helps to strengthen the patients' overall experience with the treatment center, a plus for the partnering hospital. Collaborating hospitals must meet specific criteria established by the American Cancer Society's South Atlantic Division, including accreditation by the Commission on Cancer; 1,000 newly accessioned patients annually; and, 20-25 percent patient population from vulnerable groups including rural, underinsured, uninsured, Medicaid, African American and/or Hispanic. The Society and collaborating hospitals agree to an initial three-year commitment, with an expectation that program funding, shared between the two organizations, will be allocated for five to seven years after the initial commitment. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. For information about cancer, call 24 hours day, seven days a week 1.800.ACS.2345 or log onto www.cancer.org. Want to help the American Cancer Society in their work? Relay For Life is a unique fundraising event that allows participants from all walks of life — including patients, medical support staff, corporations, civic organizations, churches and community volunteers — to join together to fight cancer. Relay For Life reminds us that progress has been made in the fight against cancer and that everyone who participates is making a difference. Greenville.com is proud to be a sponsor of area Relays in 2008. Information about how to form a team or become involved in Relay For Life is available from the American Cancer Society at the following numbers or by visiting www.sccrelayforlife.org or call 866-227-4395. (Image provided by the American Cancer Society.)
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