Mercy Named Screening Center of Excellence
DES MOINES, Iowa — Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines has been named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) for its ongoing commitment to responsible lung cancer screening. Low dose CT screening for lung cancer carried out safely, efficiently and equitably saves tens of thousands of lives a year.
“We are proud and honored to be working with Mercy Medical Center as a Lung Cancer Alliance Screening Center of Excellence. Their commitment to practicing responsible lung cancer screening will lead to advancements in research and many lives saved. They are an example to follow,” says LCA President and CEO, Laurie Fenton Ambrose.
Designated Screening Centers of Excellence have committed to provide clear information based on current evidence on who is a candidate for lung cancer screening, and to comply with comprehensive standards based on best practices developed by professional bodies such as the American College of Radiology (ACR), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP) for controlling screening quality, radiation dose and diagnostic procedures within an experienced, multi-disciplinary clinical setting.
“Mercy Medical Center is dedicated to providing patients with the highest quality care. Low dose CT screening has shown to be the only proven method to detect lung cancer at an early and treatable stage. We are thrilled to be part of this elite group, setting an example for responsible screening practices across the country,” said Susan Eckels, Mercy’s director of Imaging Services.
About Mercy Medical Center
Mercy operates four not-for-profit, Catholic hospital campuses, with a total of 875 beds, along with more than 20 additional facilities that house more than 50 primary care, pediatric, internal medicine and specialty clinics. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1893, Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines is the longest continually operating hospital in Des Moines and is also one of the largest employers in the state – with more than 7,000 employees and a medical staff of more than 1,000 physicians and allied health associates. Mercy Medical Center–Des Moines operates as a local health system within Mercy Health Network and is a part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), a national nonprofit health system based in Englewood, Colo. The faith-based system operates in 17 states and includes 100 hospitals, as well as long-term care, assisted- and residential living communities; community health services organizations; home health agencies and outpatient facilities and services.
About Lung Cancer Alliance
LCA is leading non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives and advancing research by empowering people living with or at risk for lung cancer. LCA provides live, professional support, referral and information services to patients, their loved ones and those at risk for lung cancer; conducts national awareness campaigns, including the award winning No One Deserves to Die Campaign attacking the stigma of the disease and the Moments Campaign, spreading word about the risk and screening with a risk navigator tool for consumers; and advocates for multiple millions in public health dollars for lung cancer research.
Lung Cancer Alliance launched the National Framework for Excellence in Lung Cancer Screening and Continuum of Care in 2012 and now have over 500 sites committed to the guidelines. The National Framework lays out a bill of rights for the at-risk public and guiding principles for lung cancer screening sites. www.go2foundation.org