Baptist Health Care Chosen As One of Six Locations in America for Patient Pilot Site

Baptist Health Care Chosen as One of Six Locations in America for Patient Pilot Site

Baptist Health Care has been chosen by the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) as one of six locations in America to participate in the “Cancer Care Patient Navigation” pilot project.

This project is designed to help community hospitals enhance their patient advocacy programs. Experts from the ACCC will provide on-site training and educational materials to expand and enhance Baptist’s current advocacy services. These experts will also serve as mentors for hospital advocacy staff to ensure success.

photo: Patient Advocate Karen Cobb, R.N., (left) assists a patient in choosing a wig color that meets her personal style.

Patient Advocate Karen Cobb, R.N., (right) assists a patient in choosing a wig color that meets her personal style. This is just one of the many services patient advocates provide cancer patients to help them adapt during their treatment and recovery.

“Karen has been like a sister to me. She has been with me every step of the way.” — Alicia Wilson, 41

“It’s an honor to participate in this experimental program,” said Donna Campbell, director, Baptist Cancer Services. “This opportunity will place Baptist on the front end of testing and making recommendations to enhance numerous advocacy programs. This is just one more way Baptist can take the lead in proactive cancer care.”

The Baptist Cancer Institute’s Patient Advocate Program currently:

Provides guidance and improved communication through the health care system relating to diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and survival
Finds community, financial, educational, and personal resources and support
Ensures treatment plans and follow-up care is in place

Patient navigation and advocacy aims to increase outcomes and patient satisfaction.

More than 100 facilities nationwide applied to be designated as a pilot site. Other facilities selected include: Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Cookeville, Tenn.; Georgetown Hospital System, Georgetown, SC; John B. Amos Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio; Roper St. Francis Cancer Center, Charleston, SC; St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers, Beech Grove, Ind.