Pre-Eminence in Patient Care and Research

SUPERIOR RATINGS

WRNMMC’s reputation for excellence is reflected in the superior ratings we consistently receive from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), which evaluates and accredits over 17,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.

WRNMMC has continually scored high in measurements of overall excellence and patient satisfaction.

Many of our health care services are world-renowned, such as those provided in Obstetrics, Neonatal Intensive Care, and our Mother and Infant Care Center. In addition, a number of WRNMMC specialties have been designated “Centers of Excellence” such as Breast Care, Cardiac Care, Surgery, Cranial and Spinal Surgery, Head and Neck Oncology, Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine, and Total Joint Replacement.

MEDICAL RESEARCH REWARDED

WRNMMC promotes the professional growth and development of our doctors-in-training in our Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs, by performing high-quality research and clinical trials in conjunction with some of the world's finest medical centers.

Clinical trials usually compare a new, promising treatment to a standard one; and contribute to a better understanding of the benefits and risks of comparative therapies. These trials are helpful in determining if a treatment is better, as good, or not as good as a standard therapy. All research procedures must be approved and monitored by WRNMMC and the relevant Institutional Review Boards (IRB) to ensure patient safety.

Current or recent research efforts at WRNMMC have been conducted in the areas of colon cancer, breast cancer, investigational chemotherapy, virtual colonoscopy, stroke, diabetes, infectious disease, hematology/oncology, leukemia and lymphoma.

Hematology / Oncology

WRNMMC's Hematology/Oncology service offers research protocol treatment options as well as standard treatment options to active duty, retired, and civilian patients in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The research oncology unit is highly patient-focused with direct nursing care during complex treatment regimens. Currently, research studies are ongoing in the area of leukemia and lymphoma, and exciting new treatments are in development.

Breast Cancer

WRNMMC, in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is conducting several large ongoing studies to decide the best therapy options for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. These studies include prescribed chemotherapy drugs and hormone replacement therapy, with comparisons to attacking the cancer without using these drugs. More than 50 people have participated in breast care trials, which started in 1997.

Stroke

The Clinical Stroke Unit at WRNMMC is engaged in cutting-edge research to identify genetic and other factors that increase the risk of stroke. The
congressionally funded Comprehensive Neuroscience Program and the National Institutes of Health support research in the Clinical Stroke Unit. By identifying genes that increase the susceptibility for stroke, WRNMMC hopes to design new strategies for stroke prevention, acute management, and rehabilitation that will dramatically remove the burden of this debilitating disease from our patients.

Diabetes Disease Management Program

The Tri-Service Nursing Research Group funded a current study using a sample of 150 subjects (IRB approved) to follow the outcomes of glycemic control, risk factor modification, adherence to guidelines of care, and patients' perception of care, using the comparison of the efficacy of (Diabetes Case Management Care vs. "Usual Care").

Infectious Disease Special Immunology (IDSI)

The IDSI has an active research program that includes new treatment protocols, natural history and behavioral studies. Many of the research protocols are partnerships between WRNMMC and National Institutes of Health, or Department of Defense retrovirology studies, and are for HIV-infected patients who live in the Bethesda area.

Colon Cancer

In May 2003, CAPT Brian Monahan, MC, of WRNMMC was presented with the 18th Annual Clinical Investigation Program Award for his project entitled, A Pilot Study of Oxaliplatin and Capecitibine in Adult Patients with Refractory Solid Tumors. The three-year project tested the effectiveness of an anti-cancer drug on 100 patients with colon cancer. Various departments including Radiology, Laboratory and Pathology were involved. These departments assisted in collecting test specimens from patients through procedures such as biopsies, bone marrow sampling, and Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) scans. WRNMMC is the first hospital in the country to conduct this type of study, which was done in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Landmark Research for Virtual Colonoscopy

The findings of a joint landmark study involving a new colon cancer screening test conducted at WRNMMC were published in the Dec. 4, 2003 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. Virtual colonoscopy (VC) is the latest technology for detecting polyps. VC uses special X-ray equipment and computerized virtual reality software to create a 3-D image of the colon. VC is much less invasive than conventional colonoscopy because it does not require an endoscope or tube in the colon. VC also requires no sedation, anesthesia, or hospital stay. This joint study was also conducted at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, and the Naval Medicine Center San Diego. The successful research project resulted in a congressionally funded grant to build a Colon Cancer Center at WRNMMC. Once the construction of the Center is complete, WRNMMC will shift to VC as the primary means for colon cancer screening.

PUTTING YOU FIRST

WRNMMC is known for excellent customer service, having received numerous awards in this area from the Department of Defense. It is our constant goal to:

• Champion customer advocacy and customer service issues on behalf of our patients.
  
• Facilitate, evaluate, and constantly reaffirm the Command's dedication to superior customer service.

Patients choosing WRNMMC for care expect and receive not only clinical excellence, but also personalized customer attention. Our current Customer Service Program includes a continued commitment to Command-wide customer service training and Customer Service Excellence recognition programs including continuation of the Wall of Heroes presentations, "Caught in the Act" awards, and further publication of awards in The Journal.

A Customer Advocate is available in each of our clinics at WRNMMC, and serves as a liaison between patients, the hospital staff, and administration. The Customer Advocate is the first point of contact for concerns or comments regarding health care at WRNMMC.

The friendly staff at the Customer Service Desk and clinic windows provide information on a variety of topics, and will answer your questions and concerns directly, or will refer you to a staff member who can better
help you.

FAMILY-CENTERED CARE

The health care services offered at WRNMMC are specially designed to promote "Family-Centered Care", an approach to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of health care that encourages partnerships among our providers, patients, and their families. Respect, Empowerment, Choices and Flexibility embody the concept of Family-Centered Care. At WRNMMC, we recognize that emotional, social, and developmental supports are integral components of quality health care, whether dealing with the birth of a child or any health care issue. The Family-Centered Care practiced at WRNMMC leads to better health outcomes and greater patient, family, and staff satisfaction.

EXECUTIVE HEALTH CARE FOR OUR NATION'S LEADERS

WRNMMC's Executive Health Care coordinates access for our nation's leaders to WRNMMC's world-class medical care while ensuring availability, flexibility, security, and confidentiality at all times. The department provides care for Flag Officers and their eligible family members, the President and Vice President of the United States, members of Congress, and Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. Other authorized government officials and beneficiaries designated by the Secretary of the Navy, as well as foreign military and embassy personnel, are also provided care at WRNMMC through the Executive Health Care Department.

ETHICS COMMITTEE

Patient care can sometimes lead to complicated situations involving quality of life issues, and difficult life-and-death decisions. WRNMMC's Ethics Committee identifies these issues, and facilitates open communication among those involved in patient care including patients, family members, attending or consulting physicians, nurses, or other members of the patient's health care team. Anyone directly involved in the care of a patient can request an Ethics Consult. To receive individual consultation call 1- (800) 759-8888.

The Ethics Committee also periodically invites all interested patients and staff to roundtable discussions, where real-life, anonymous case studies are used for discussion purposes. To learn about the agenda for current roundtable discussions, visit the Ethics Consultation Program.