Annual Report Offers Recent Accomplishments in Cancer Care at St. Luke’s

“St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network realized significant progress and accomplishments during the past year. The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) granted three-year approval with commendation to our Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program, and in April 2008 St. Luke's Cancer Center became the only center in Pennsylvania to earn the Outstanding Achievement Award for the second consecutive time. This is the top distinction attainable by cancer programs across the country; it speaks volumes about the quality of cancer care provided and the unwavering commitment of physicians, nurses and staff associated with St. Luke's Hospital. Mostly, we are delighted that our patients receive the highest quality of cancer care in the region and will strive to be even better in the coming years.”

Lee B. Riley, MD, PhD Committee, Co-Chairman Surgical Oncology		Subhash C. Proothi, MD Committee, Co-Chairman Medical Oncology

2007 and 2008 Highlights of Our Accomplishments

• A Comprehensive Cancer Center opened in Allentown on July 27, 2007. This new center is located at the Integrated Health Campus at 240 Cetronia Road. The facility provides convenient access to St. Luke's high quality cancer program for those living in Allentown and surrounding communities. Patients are able to receive radiation therapy at this location under the care of Advanced Radiation Oncology Associates and may also schedule consults and appointments with cancer experts. Infusion services became available in May 2008.
• With the addition of the Trilogy System to the Radiation Therapy Department, St. Luke's offers the most precise method of administering a dose of radiation to an area inside the body. So advanced, it allows for the treatment of tumors that may have been considered inoperable.
• St. Luke's Clinical Trial program expanded in 2008 due to increasing activity. The Clinical Trial Pipeline was developed in 2007 for distribution of new protocols for promising prevention and treatment research. Studies cover virtually every major cancer and are sponsored by National Cooperative Groups such as ECOG, SWOG, CTSU, NSABP, and RTOG as well as pharmaceutical company studies.
• To serve our cancer patient population, their families, and the community, prevention and early detection programs, Health Fairs, and community education programs are offered ongoing throughout the network:
  • Skin screenings held in May at Bethlehem, Allentown and Quakertown facilities had more than 80 participants in 2007 and 122 in 2008.
  • Prostate screenings held in September at Allentown, Bethlehem and Quakertown facilities had more than 45 participants in 2007 and 84 participants in 2008.
• Under the re-design of Tumor Conference, cases representing all tumor sites treated at our facility were provided multidisciplinary consultative services during these site-specific meetings. Frequency, case presentation and attendance were monitored quarterly to ensure consultative services for patients as well as education to physicians and health professionals. Goals for Bethlehem, Allentown and Quakertown were met throughout 2008.
• The St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network Cancer Center's employees coordinated services with the American Cancer Society and participated in the Relay for Life held annually in June.
• Cancer Survivor's Day was held June 1st at the Palmer Park Mall with St. Luke's sponsoring entertainment, screenings, health booths, food and goodies for our survivors. There was a great turnout and the program received positive feedback. Plans include participation again next year.
• St. Luke's again participated in a study through the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) to assess utilization of adjuvant chemo following surgical resection of Stage III colon cancers with all SLB, SLA and SLQ facilities falling into the top quartile of concordance with patient care guidelines.
• Clinical Management and Cancer Data Management standards were monitored to assure the medical record contains the AJCC stage assigned by the managing physician; and, to ensure that abstracting and reporting is completed in accordance with the standards as established by the ACoS Commission on Cancer and the PA State Cancer Registry.
• The continuous quality improvement (CQI) team for the Oncology Service Line continued to study cancer care practice patterns and outcomes. In 2007 and 2008 initiatives included clinical quality for breast, colon, prostate and lung cancer along with initiatives in patient satisfaction and safety.
• The Family Cancer Risk Evaluation Program provided support and counseling to individuals concerned that they had an elevated risk of developing cancer due to an inherited gene mutation, and facilitated genetic testing and disclosure as appropriate.
• The Gynecologic Oncology Program expanded in 2007 with the addition of GYN Oncologist, Dr. David Silver. Women with female pelvic malignancies are offered state-of-the-art surgery and innovative cancer treatments including radiation therapy, chemotherapies, hormonal therapies and a variety of investigational protocols. For more information, see the Ovarian Cancer, Uterine Cancer and Cervical Cancer programs.
• St. Luke's Palliative Care Program has experienced great strides during their first year. It started with a goal of 150 consults and during the first year 345 consults were done. This team establishes and implements an individualized plan of patient care that emphasizes the importance of specialized end-of-life care with attention to symptoms and pain management.
• Oncology related educational opportunities were held throughout 2007 to provide specialized oncology knowledge to the St. Luke's professional staff.
• Clinical, Program Development, Quality Improvement, and Community Outreach goals are developed yearly. Year-end evaluation of 2008 goals showed ongoing development of our cancer program.

Every patient deserves access to the latest, proven therapies and the information necessary to make the best choice among treatment options. We are well positioned to keep making a difference in the fight against cancer and anticipate a great year in 2009. We would like to thank the St. Luke's Tumor Committee, the medical staff, the oncology service line staff and the hospital administration for their continuing dedication to our patients and for their ongoing efforts to provide the excellent, compassionate care that our patients receive.