CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Each year there are about 2,300 new cases of breast cancer in men and about 230,000 new cases in women. To ensure early detection, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune Radiology Department has improved scheduling and process changes to enhance the total patient experience.
“A multidisciplinary team reviewed the process flow of our mammography patients to improve and develop a one call, one appointment exam scheduling process,” said Calvin Leatherwood, the performance improvement manager, NHCL Quality Management Department. “Engaging lean thinking to this process helped to eliminate several unnecessary delays, enhanced access to care and increased patient satisfaction.”
Not only has the hospital replaced phone lines and increased the number of available appointments, increased quality control measures were put in place to reduce wait times and returning calls for appointments. Before, there was only one person who was trained and qualified to schedule mammogram appointments. Now, there is an entire call center trained and prepared to take calls.
“All of these improvements have helped to significantly reduce the turn-around time for mammogram scheduling by 96 percent,” said Leatherwood. The turn-around time was reduced to less than 24 hours from call to appointment scheduled.
“It is important for our patients to be able to get the care they need, when they need it,” said Susan Brooks, a health care specialist with Heath Care Business. “It can create an emotional crisis if they don’t, and some would just give up.”
These changes were made just in time for the hospital’s mammathon, a week long mammogram screening event. Appointment schedule times are available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 13 to 17.
“We especially need those patients ages 52 to 64 to partner with us for preventive and proactive care to schedule appointments,” said Leatherwood. He explained that although this age group is requested, all women 40 years or older should get an annual screening.
After the visit the images are reviewed and a report written by the radiologist. The results will be sent to the doctor and a follow-up letter sent out.
The follow-up letter provides the results of the exam and whether or not the individual is good for a year or whether they need to come back within six months.
It’s all about the comparisons, explained Christine Davidson, a NHCL mammography technician. Of those who receive their first mammogram screening, up to 25 percent are called back within six months. There’s simply nothing to compare the image with. This is why it is also important to have the images from previous exams conducted at other hospitals.
Please call 910-450-4357 today to schedule an appointment and get ahead of the crowd.
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2016 08:07 |
| Story ID: | 200836 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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