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M e r c y H o s p i t a l C a n c e r C e n t e r

Mission Statement
Mercy Hospital Cancer Center

Consistent with the Mission of Mercy Health Partners, the Cancer Center mission is to promote
comprehensive, quality, multidisciplinary care (including research, prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and hospice) for patients with cancer and for the  Encouraging comprehensive multidisciplinary community cancer program development.  Providing education about approaches for the effective management and delivery of  Facilitating research opportunities for all components of cancer care.  Facilitating access to appropriate and cost-effective new technologies.  Defining and promoting quality and value as it pertains to cancer care.  Supporting efforts to ensure access to quality cancer care.  Supporting patient advocacy consistent with Mercy’s quality and value goals. Chairman’s Report
Carl Barsigian, M.D.
On behalf of Mercy Health Care Partners’ physicians, staff, and volunteers, we are pleased to submit our 2009 Annual Report, which focuses on strategic initiatives of service, excellence, evidence-based Cancer is not one illness. It is a group of more than one hundred illnesses, each requiring knowledge and experience to manage. The Mercy Cancer Center is dedicated to provide complete care for its M e r c y H o s p i t a l C a n c e r C e n t e r
patients diagnosed with cancer, from state-of-the art diagnosis and treatment to support groups and finally end-of-life care. The multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionist, therapist, and tumor registry staff, all of which are highly trained and motivated individuals dedicated to the mission and values of Mercy Hospital. Our team of cancer specialists provides personalized care for our patients and strives to maintain expert knowledge in the field of oncology by maintaining oncology certification requirements, along with participating in continuing education programs offered at the local, state and national level. In order to promote a multidisciplinary team one member of the cancer committee is appointed to coordinate Cancer Program Activities in one of the four major areas. The Coordinator is responsible for the development of the annual goals, monitoring activities in there designated area, updating Cancer Committee on activities, and recommending an action plan for activities that fall below expectations. This year Cancer Committee appointed the following Coordinators:  Cancer Conference Coordinator- Charles Bannon, M.D.  Quality Control Cancer Registry Data Coordinator- Harmar Brereton, M.D.  Quality Improvement Coordinator – Cheryl Burke, RN, CPHQ  Community Outreach Coordinator- Vee Pauli, RD,LDN,CCRP  Cancer Physician Liaison – Dr. Husam Hamati, M.D. M e r c y H o s p i t a l C a n c e r C e n t e r
Clinical Areas:
 Arils Smart pumps for chemo infusions o Currently operational on all departments since October of 2008. o This goal is on hold due to system issues. We will continue to work with Blood Bank in Community Outreach:
 Mercy Hospital partnered with the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI), Marywood University, and Marian Community Hospital on a Breast Education Series for the elderly and the o There were three programs presented at Senior High-Rises approximately 20 Quality Improvements:
 MRSA Quality Improvement showed 116 Positive Screenings in ICU Programmatic Endeavors:
 Development of the Stem Cell Transplant Program The Cancer Committee at Mercy Health Partners is continuously striving for excellence, searching for ways to improve our cancer program and the services we provide to our community. The Cancer M e r c y H o s p i t a l C a n c e r C e n t e r
Committee would like to thank the entire staff members for their commitment to the prevention and Oncology Services
Mercy’s Outpatient and Inpatient units provide our patients with comprehensive and compassionate care. Both units offer a wide range of treatment services for a variety of inpatient ambulatory adult hematology and oncology patients. These units provide a full range of chemotherapy infusion services, blood transfusions, and IV hydration for the community. The staff members include credentialed oncology nurses, who provide specialized quality care and are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team. All of our outpatient oncology nursing staff are certified by the Oncology Nursing Society. Our staff provides both the patient and families with a centered approach to their treatment in order to meet each of their customized needs. Our staff nurtures an environment of support and high quality care for patients and families. Our staff will work with our patients and walk them through each step of the process upon initial visit/admission. Mercy works to meet the needs of Rehabilitation Services
Mercy Health Partners Department of Rehabilitation Services offers physical, occupational, and speech therapy services to patients who are dealing with cancer on both an inpatient and outpatient level. The patients receive examination and testing to identify any impairment, which may be contributing to functional limitations and negatively impacting their daily lives. The therapist works with the patient to develop a treatment plan, which may include therapeutic exercise, therapeutic M e r c y H o s p i t a l C a n c e r C e n t e r
activity, or alternative strategies for the purposes of limiting or preventing disability and alleviating or correcting any physical conditions. The promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and wellness is also a focus, and quarterly community health fairs held at our off-site outpatient facility, (Mercy Outpatient Center @ Keyser Avenue), provide a venue for the communication of this information to our patients and to members of our surrounding community. Radiation Oncology (NROC)
NROC was pleased to begin 2008 involved in the Smoke-Free Campus campaign at Mercy Hospital. Signage was displayed at the two NROC sites to reinforce the message. Additionally, NROC joined efforts with Mercy in contributing to its new Cancer Services brochure in April. The year’s major event was the Thyroid Cancer Symposium, Management of
Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Guidance by the Guidelines, featuring Susan Mandel, MD,
foremost on this subject and a professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Conducted on May 21, the event brought together for the first time the Commonwealth Medical College as a joint presenter with NROC and NRCI. Genzyme Pharmaceuticals sponsored the lecture, and NROC arranged for videotaping the presentation at WVIA Public Media Studios, featuring also a local panel of experts and a ful studio audience. From this, a top-quality DVD was produced and distributed to physicians and healthcare professionals. This has had long-lasting importance, as thyroid cancer in Northeast PA remains NROC once again was a major sponsor of the NRCI Survivor Celebration in June, and a sponsor of the Komen Race for the Cure in September. M e r c y H o s p i t a l C a n c e r C e n t e r
Christopher A. Peters, MD, joined Radiation Medicine Associates of Scranton in August, with practice hours at the Dunmore and Mercy Hospital campuses. Already having conducted award- winning clinical research in prostate cancer, Dr. Peters soon addressed the ACS Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group, sharing his findings for the first time to the lay public of Lackawanna County. National studies were released, revealing that a deficiency in Vitamin D was common in Americans. The RAMAS physicians implemented Vitamin D screenings of patients, and nutritionist Mary Klem, MS, RD, produced educational materials for patients and the community at large to spread the awareness and implement change. Studies had shown benefits for breast cancer patients in particular, that those survivors with deficient levels of Vitamin D were more likely to be candidates NROC welcomed a tour of seventh grade students from Wyoming Area Catholic School, hosted by Leah Nawrocki, RN, MSN and Dr. Peters. The students learned about the dangers of tobacco use, and observed real lungs (healthy and diseased), courtesy of the American Lung Association. The year closed with the receipt of excellent news: initial Award Notification was received from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, regarding Mercy Hospital’s three year accreditation with commendation, a prestigious distinction awarded to few. Clinical Research
Clinical research is a vital part of the Mercy Cancer Center’s effort to provide the best care for our patients. In conjunction with Northeast Radiation Oncology Center (NROC), Hematology and M e r c y H o s p i t a l C a n c e r C e n t e r
Oncology Associations, Scranton Hematology-Oncology, and Mercy Health Partners, we have been able to offer our local community a large variety of Cancer Research Clinical Trials. In 2008 we accrued a total of 92 patients into our Treatment Clinical Trials which is 44% of the annual cases. This exceeds the recommended accrual of 2% for an approved Cancer Program. We accrued these patients through both pharmaceutical studies (12) and the following research bases (80) ECOG, NCCTG, NSABP, RTOG, GOG, CALGB and SWOG. It is this locally based Clinical Research that helps answer vital research questions that can lead to better screening, prevention and treatment options Cancer prevention and control continues to remain an important part of the Mercy Cancer Center program. We routinely provide information on cancer risk factors, diet and cancer prevention and smoking cessation at employee and public health fairs. We also provided the American Lung Association’s “Freedom from Smoking” classes for employees, patients and visitors. We maintain records for the long term follow-up of 52 participants in the NSABP Breast Cancer Prevention Trial – STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene). The Mercy Cancer Center continues to identify available cancer prevention studies and evaluate them for feasibility for our demographic Pharmacy
Mercy Health Partners Department of Pharmacy provides pharmaceutical services for both inpatients and outpatients. Medication orders are reviewed for accuracy and drug-interactions. All intravenous medications are prepared aseptically in a vertical flow laminar air-flow hood to maximize safety and ensure a sterile product. Highly effective regimens for the prophylaxis of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting are applied to each patient. Measures have been implemented to M e r c y H o s p i t a l C a n c e r C e n t e r
ensure patient safety from look alike sound alike medications stored in the pharmacy and on patient care areas. Numerous investigational medications are maintained and dispensed by the pharmacy in accordance to their respected protocols. The Pharmacy staff works closely with the oncology physicians, nurses and patients to ensure the best quality of care. Social Services
Mercy Health Partners offers medical social work for patients and their families who are dealing with cancer. Because people with cancer encounter a variety of personal issues and problems related to their diagnosis of cancer, our social services can help them cope with the psychological, emotional, physical, and financial demands of cancer. Our services have also created support groups like Facing Cancer Together Support Group, which provides cancer patients and their families with information from speakers about topics ranging from nutrition to angels. The Cancer Center has also continued to support the 18th annual Susan G. Komen Foundation “Race for the Cure.” Annual Survivors Day held at Montage Mountain in the summer and McDade Park in the fall are continued commitments on behalf of the center to patient/family support efforts. We continue to partner with the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI) in patient/family and professional education efforts. Cancer screening is a fundamental aspect of our effort toward early cancer detection-again partnering with the NRCI. We continue to support our patients/families from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, recovery, and survival, and also through the circumstances surrounding end of life. Our social services team treats each patient with personalized care and support. Whether it is a get-well card or just a phone call to see how our patients are doing, we are here for them. M e r c y H o s p i t a l C a n c e r C e n t e r
Continuum of Care
Mercy’s commitment to quality healthcare is embodied by our Continuum of Care approach. This means we provide a comprehensive range of healthcare services and programs designed to serve the on-going needs of our community. Through all stages of life, Mercy offers healthcare and follow-up services that help patients maintain their optimal health and quality of life. Besides nationally ranked heart care, Mercy leads the region in a number of comprehensive services, including emergency and express care, minimally invasive surgical procedures, cancer treatment, long-term acute care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, home health and hospice care. A Summary of Tumor Registry Activity for 2008
The Cancer Registry functions under the supervision of the Cancer Committee and follows the mandated guidelines of the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry and the American College of Surgeons as an accreedited Community Comprehensive Cancer Program. The computerized registry reference We accessioned a total of 958 cancer cases in 2008. Of those, 731 were analytic, meaning they were diagnosed and/or received a first course of treatment of Mercy Hospital, Scranton. The registry collects demographics, cancer identification, treatment and follow-up data on each eligible cancer patient. This data contributes to treatment planning, staging and continuity of care for cancer patients. All patients who are diagnosed or treated as an inpatient or outpatient at Mercy Hospital Currently, we have a follow-up rate of 97.2 percent for all analytic patients from the cancer registry reference date and a follow-up rate of 97.8 percent for all analytic patients diagnosed within the last M e r c y H o s p i t a l C a n c e r C e n t e r
five years, surpassing the standards of 80 and 90 percent respectively. Accurate follow-up is essential to evaluate cancer care outcomes. The hospital compares outcome results with regional, state, and national statistics. As a Commission on Cancer Approved Program, we submit our data to Quality control of cancer registry data is required on 10 percent of all analytic cases per year. The Cancer Committee performed Quality Assurance on 82 analytic cancer cases in 2008 with a 98.7 The registry is located on the third floor of the Main Building and is staffed by a Certified Tumor Registrar and a staff assistant from the Regional Cancer Registry at the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Information can be The 2009 Annual Report Topic:
Well Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
Analyzed by: Mark Fratteli, M.D.
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine neoplasm with an incidence of approximately 37,000 per year in the United States with a mortality rate of approximately 1500 cases per year. The
Source: http://www.regionalhospitalofscranton.net/Documents/Mercy%20Cancer%20Committee%20Annual%20Report%202009.pdf