New Name Reflects Alliance in Adult Cancer Care
Further illustrating their relationship as partners in adult cancer care, Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) have created a new name to more accurately describe the fully integrated services they provide for patients.
The name “Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center” emerged from months of discussion among leaders from both hospitals, who felt that such a name would make it easier for patients and the public to understand the strong clinical bond between the two facilities.
DFCI continues to provide outpatient oncology services under the arrangement. Brigham and Women’s offers outpatient surgery, radiation oncology, and selected specialized outpatient clinic and ancillary services. It also delivers inpatient oncology care for adult patients through the jointly managed DFCI and BWH inpatient beds. (Through another important arrangement, children receive outpatient cancer care at Dana-Farber and inpatient services at Children’s Hospital Boston. These young patients receive any needed radiation services at BWH.)
The newly named cancer center is an integral part of Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare, a collaborative program in adult oncology established in 1996 among DFCI, BWH, and Massachusetts General Hospital. These three will continue working together and with other affiliates on clinical trials, development of an oncology services network, quality improvement, information systems, and other areas.
Indications of the change will become more evident in the coming months. Signs marking certain departments will start bearing the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center name, as will some letterhead and stationery. Common DFCI/BWH web site content has been developed and can be accessed through the DFCI (www.dana-farber.org/pat/adult/) and BWH (www.brighamandwomens.org/ cancer) sites. Many printed materials for patients will begin carrying the new name within the next few months.
In addition, the institutions have received state approval to implement a joint credentialing system for certain physicians practicing at both hospitals. This pilot program would be the first of its kind in Massachusetts.