Ascension Saint Joseph awarded distinctions in breast and joint care

Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago is excited to announce that it has recently earned two different distinctions highlighting its commitment to excellence across multiple service lines. The American College of Surgeons' National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers has awarded an accreditation to Saint Joseph, labeling the hospital's breast center as an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. This designation recognizes Saint Joseph's maintenance of the highest standards in surgical breast care.

Saint Joseph has also been named a Blue Distinction Center by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois for its knee and hip replacement program. This distinction indicates that the program meets nationally established criteria, and possesses an expertise in delivering quality care safely and effectively. Blue Distinction Specialty Care programs establish a nationally consistent approach by measuring data across 1,500 facilities.

"In achieving these recognitions and accreditation, patients can confidently trust their breast care and orthopedic care," said Dr. Shesh Rao, chief medical officer at Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago. "Both of these service lines include clinical experts across multiple disciplines who are committed to working to provide the best care and support possible during the entire course of treatment."

Ascension Illinois physicians pride themselves on providing personalized care plans for their patients. On the orthopedic front, the Saint Joseph care teams are able to provide expert guidance to patients related to hip and ankle replacement, such as how to use a walker or cane, pain management, swelling and joint stiffness, nutritional impact, rehabilitation services with physical therapy and occupational therapy, and wound healing instructions.

Our breast program team is able to incorporate a number of imaging technologies to screen for breast cancer, and the team is equipped to handle the most complicated breast cancer cases including:

• Non invasive breast cancer in the milk ducts
• Cancer of the milk ducts that has invaded breast tissue beyond the ducts
• Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) - a rare, invasive cancer that blocks vessels in the breast skin
• Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) in milk glands
• Male breast cancer
• Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage 4 breast cancer, which has spread to other parts of the body