Cancer Center expansion project completed at BCHS
The Cancer Care Center at Battle Creek Health System unveiled its newly renovated facilities today, completing a project that began as a plan on paper in 2003. The expansion project adds 6,000 square feet of new area and 3,000 square feet of renovation giving critically needed treatment space for cancer patients, lifesaving new technology, a more healing environment, and room to build complementary therapies.
Faced with increasing patient volumes and a desire to provide new technology and therapies, The Cancer Care Center at BCHS undertook this project four years ago to meet the growing demand for cancer services in the coming years.
Staff and physicians met with several national consultants and oncology planning experts to draft plans for the expanded center. The team sought to build upon The Cancer Care Center's existing reputation and work as a comprehensive treatment center that includes full service medical oncology (with access to clinical trials) and cutting-edge radiation oncology (with two linear accelerators and world-class treatment planning technology). Design work included a look at the projected need for space, technology, and healing amenities that could help the cancer patient and their family successfully battle cancer.
"With a rapidly aging population and a growing reputation for excellence, we expect to see a 30% increase in cancer cases over the next few years," says Jayme Carrico, director of oncology services at BCHS. "This influx of patients would have seriously challenged the old facility that was already stretched beyond capacity if we hadn't decided to build this new addition. This project is addressing those concerns."
"Battle Creek is recognized as having one of Michigan's premier cancer centers," says Pat Garrett, president and CEO of Battle Creek Health System. "This newly expanded cancer facility will ensure that we remain among the elite centers providing cutting-edge technology, a healing environment, appropriate complementary therapies, access to national clinical trials, and exceptional medical, surgical, and radiation treatments."
A community campaign helped launch the $5.5 million cancer expansion project. "The Battle Creek Health System Auxiliary provided the initial gift to jump-start community fundraising," says Mark Crawford, BCHS vice president of business development. "The Auxiliary's $250,000 commitment helped seed pledges from more than one thousand business, foundation, and individual donors. We are truly thankful for the gifts of all sizes that have helped make this exciting new facility a reality."
The expansion project offers:
- New technology, including the world's most advanced radiation therapy.
- A cancer resource library for patients and community members.
- Complementary* therapies that enable and optimize wellness and recovery.
- A more healing environment.
"We apologize for the inconvenience this project caused our patients over the past year or so," says Carrico. "As of today, when our oncology patients enter the building from the Emmett Street side, they will see some dramatic changes to our cancer center that will enhance their cancer treatment experience even more."
The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons recognizes Battle Creek Health System as the only Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program. This approval is the highest awarded and held by fewer than 10% of hospitals nationwide. BCHS is the only hospital in Southwest Michigan to hold this designation.
Approval by the Commission on Cancer is awarded only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the best in diagnosis and treatment of cancer and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performances. In order to maintain approval, facilities with approved cancer programs must also undergo an on-site review every three years.
Receiving treatment in a Commission on Cancer-approved program ensures that a patient has access to quality care close to home.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations-Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 12 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle Creek Health System as a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.
* Complementary medicine, always used in conjunction with a traditional therapy like chemotherapy, radiation or surgery, is beginning to be employed to relieve side effects of treatment. Sometimes called complementary therapy, this regimen helps the patient's mental and emotional healing as well.
For example, a patient may have acupuncture performed on them to aid in lessening the nausea caused by chemotherapy. Other examples include aromatherapy, reflexology, massage, and acupressure.
Complementary therapy is not an alternative to treatments but one that makes the treatment complete.
The Cancer Care Center Programs & Amenities
'By the Numbers'
- The remodeled cancer center is tripled in size--3, 000 SF renovated, 6,000 SF new constructions, bringing the total size of Cancer Care Center to 25,000 SF.
- The front façade has full height glass curtain walls, skylights, and a canopy for patients being dropped off for treatments.
- New lobby/waiting room expanded from 700 SF to 2,000 SF. This new lobby allows for more seating and more daylight. Seating is arranged in pods allowing for family members to sit together in a group and not feel like they are sitting in a bus station linear fashion.
- Two water features in the lobby provide a soothing sound for waiting patients and help mask the voices of those registering on the backside of the water walls. The water feature is filtered and specially treated making it cleaner than typical drinking water.
- The medical oncology treatment area has been expanded from 9 chairs to 15 and from 4 beds to 6. This area incorporates a large number of windows and a skylight allowing daylight to flood the space. It also has a view into the future healing garden that will be unveiled in the late spring of 2008.
- New complementary therapy programs including massage and acupuncture.
- Genetic counseling.
- Expansion of the nurse navigator program.
- American Cancer Society Road to Recovery transportation program.
- Other Cancer Care Center amenities include:
- There is a lab near the front entrance along with a separate seating area to accommodate patients who come in for a blood draw or test. The lab is equipped to do most of the testing necessary. For tests that cannot be performed in the Cancer Center lab, specimens are sent to the campus lab through the new underground pneumatic tube system.
- A new resource library for patient for patient use houses a computer station connected to the Internet. It also contains publications and literature, and electronic media (VCR and DVD) for education and researching illnesses and treatments. (Partnership with American Cancer Society)
- There is a multi-purpose conference room for meetings, staff gatherings, and education sessions.
- So nurses can access medical files more rapidly, larger workstations allow for more file storage on site.
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