Welcome to the Del Sol Medical Center Cancer Program Annual Report for 2002

We believe the information presented here will give you a valuable understanding of the cancer related diagnostic tools, treatment options and support services that we have to offer to the El Paso community. You will also be able to review statistical data and reports for cancers diagnosed and/or treated at Del Sol Medical Center in 2001.

This annual report will tell you about the programs and services we offer. But, it won't tell you about the dedication, compassion, and spirit of cooperation of the people who provide these services. The responsibility we each feel to our community is hard to capture in statistics. As you read this report, keep in mind that a comprehensive cancer program such as ours needs a set of core values to hold it together. Recognizing the worth of each individual, treating others with compassion and kindness, acting with honesty and integrity, and trusting our colleagues as valuable members of our healthcare team-these are the values of Del Sol Medical Center.

We are especially proud of our program this year for receiving from the American College of Surgeons a three-year accreditation as a Community Hospital Cancer Program. This official endorsement is proof of our dedication to providing the highest quality of cancer care to the people of El Paso. This is the culmination of a three-year effort by the Cancer Committee, physicians, administrative personnel, ancillary staff and health professionals who make up our cancer program.

Please join us in congratulating them on their success. We are proud of both the accomplishment and of the individuals who made it possible.

Del Sol Medical Center also continues to have the highest score of any El Paso hospital from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO.)

We look forward to another year of growth and accomplishment as we work to meet the needs of each patient.

In late 2001, we expanded our inpatient oncology-nursing unit from 19 to 29 beds, with dedicated isolation rooms, and a cancer resource center sponsored by the American Cancer Society. On this unit, patients are diagnosed, treated with chemotherapy or biotherapy, and may be treated for complications related to their disease. At the Del Sol Regional Oncology Center, patients receive radiation therapy using state-of-the-art equipment and 3-D conformal treatment planning. Our diagnostic services expanded to include the Women's Health Center. Now the women in our community have a service dedicated to their own health. The diagnostic services has also added Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan) to their already advanced array of technology. This gives us a new tool in the diagnosis and staging of many cancers.

CANCER COMMITTEE

The cancer program is a true team effort. Our Cancer Committee works diligently to direct our program toward achieving our goals. This committee is made up of representatives from the different professional groups and departments at Del Sol Medical Center who serve our patients. This interdisciplinary team consists of physicians, nurses, social workers, cancer registrars, dieticians, physical therapists, and administrative personnel. We are especially proud of one member of our team, cancer registrar Sandra Jaquez, who was named Del Sol Employee of the Year.

SCREENINGS/COMMUNITY EDUCATION

We are dedicated to promoting early detection, screening, and education on cancer to the El Paso community. We participate in many local health fairs throughout the year. We distribute literature on skin, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers to the health fair participants, and are available to answer any cancer-related questions they may have. We work with the local television stations to promote awareness of cancer and to encourage participation in screening activities. This year, we provided two free public cancer screenings. At the skin cancer screening in May 2001, we saw 165 people, 64 of whom were referred to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon for follow-up care. In June 2001, we screened 158 men for prostate cancer. Twenty-five (25) were referred to a urologist to pursue further treatment.

SUPPORT GROUPS

In cooperation with the American Cancer Society, we offer three different support groups. The "Dialogue" group offers support to all patients diagnosed with cancer, survivors of cancer, and their families. The "Coping with Breast Cancer" group is designed to support women with breast cancer. The "Entre Amigos: De Hombre A Hombre" is El Paso's only Spanish-speaking support group for men with prostate cancer. All of our groups meet monthly and encourage family participation. Please call us at 629-3440 if you would like to participate in one of these compassionate and friendly groups.

FUTURE PLANS

Next year, we hope to have even more to offer in our cancer program. Some of our plans for Del Sol Medical Center and the Del Sol Regional Oncology Center include:

• The addition of a second linear accelerator for providing radiation therapy to our growing population.
• The development of a comprehensive breast program in conjunction with the Del Sol Women's Health Center.
• The implementation of a hospital-wide bereavement program.

MISSION AND VALUES STATEMENT

Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life. In recognition of this commitment, we strive to deliver high quality, cost-effective health care in the communities we serve.

In pursuit of our mission, we believe the following value statements are essential and timeless:

We recognize and affirm the unique and intrinsic worth of each individual. We treat all those we serve with compassion and kindness. We act with absolute honesty, integrity, and fairness in the way we conduct our business and the way we live our lives. We trust our colleagues as valuable members of our health care team and pledge to treat one another with loyalty, respect, and dignity.

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