KCH Hopes To Improve Cancer Care To Those Underserved
Posted
Tim Robertson-trobertson@timesuniononline.com
Kosciusko Community Hospital launched a new program designed to help underserved communities obtain appropriate early detection, treatment and follow-up cancer care services.
According to a press release from KCH, patients do not always receive the necessary advice and care when confronted with a cancer diagnosis. The hospital's Patient Navigator program is designed to facilitate access to appropriate care within the health care system."Despite notable progress in the treatment of cancer, we need to do a better job ensuring that everyone receives access to the highest quality of care," said Luann Deafenbaugh, patient navigator for Kosciusko Community Hospital. "For cancer, early and better access to quality care is critical to successful treatment. Through this program, KCH is committing itself to addressing some of the barriers that exist within the complex and sometimes confusing health care system."
The Patient Navigator programs work by assigning trained individuals to work with patients and guide them through and around barriers in the cancer care system. Typical barriers a patient navigator might address include language and cultural barriers, child care needs, transportation issues, lack of financial resources and insurance difficulties.
"I think of myself as an advocate, a counselor and a case manager rolled into one," said Deafenbaugh. "I am helping to ensure that no cancer patient receives substandard care because of unnecessary barriers."
Patients will primarily be referred to the navigator program by their physicians.
"If the program works the way we hope it will work, it will help with the timeliness of specialties, prevent delays in services and gaps in services," said Deafenbaugh.
The program is the first of its kind in Warsaw. KCH currently has one patient navigator in place and expects to enroll 150 cancer patients in the program within the first year.
