Cancer Center Annual Report, 2006 - Hartford Hospital!

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School of Allied Health – Radiation Therapy Program
The Hartford Hospital sponsored Radiation Therapy Program is a 24-month certificate program, which gives students the
skills necessary to apply for national certification and become Radiation Therapists. These individuals provide care and
quality radiation treatments to patients under the direction of the radiation oncologist.
This program, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technologists, began in 1989 with
a generous grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Students enrolled in the program gain valuable clinical
experience at many sites statewide. This additional experience helps to prepare students for an evolving career as a
radiation therapist. Since its inception numerous students have graduated and are currently working as radiation therapists,
dosimetrists, supervisors and educators providing exceptional care to cancer patients throughout Connecticut.
As one of 102 programs in the country, we have 100% certification pass rate in which the scores are in the top third in
the country. Many people contribute to the success of the program including two full time faculty members and one part
time faculty member, Radiation Oncology Department staff including the radiation therapists, dosimetrists, physicists,
physicians, nurses and dietitian are involved with teaching both clinical and didactic. This enhances the quality of the
student’s education. The success of the program is evaluated annually during an advisory committee meeting where program
outcomes are reviewed.
Hartford Hospital program officials organize and host the New England Society of Radiation Therapists Registry Review.
This annual event reviews the contents for students preparing for their certification exam. This year 251 students came
representing 28 different states and over a third of the programs nation wide.
The collaboration and dedication of the department of education, program staff and radiation oncology department make
it possible for us to provide excellent training for students which leads to exceptional care for the patients.
Nora Uricchio, M.Ed, RT (R) (T), Program Director
Radiation Therapy Program Hartford Hospital
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Cancer Committee Report
The Cancer Committee was established to foster the care of cancer patients at Hartford Hospital. The Committee members
monitor all cancer programs at the hospital, perform quality checks of registry data, and participate in the development
and review of patient care practices and studies. This year the Cancer Committee continued its efforts to facilitate
the conversion of the cancer staging process to a digital format. The committee worked earnestly to develop an “e-staging”
form that could be implemented in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. While only partially completed due
to current software system constraints, the efforts to date have resulted in improved efficiencies on several levels. The
ultimate goal is more accurate and timely data capture in order to facilitate outcome analysis and thereby improve overall
cancer care. The committee has encouraged the development of regular tumor boards in various specialties. Weekly
and monthly conferences in gynecologic and thoracic oncology have been added to those already occurring in surgery,
lymphoma, breast, neurologic and urologic oncology. It has also facilitated participation with the Yale Shared Resource
group in two NIH studies on testicular cancer and meningioma risk factors and outcomes. The committee remains committed
to meeting or exceeding all national standards for data management and patient care as established by our certifying
organization the American College of Surgeons. Toward this end our tumor registry manager, Deborah Jacques,
participated in a national “survey savvy “ conference designed to keep institutions like ours on the leading edge of national
comprehensive cancer programs. Lastly, the committee would like to thank retired physician Dr. David Hild for the
considerable time and effort he has expended in helping us in our data collection efforts and ongoing patient care quality
reviews.
Vincent Laudone, MD
Cancer Committee Chairperson
HARTFORD HOSPITAL CANCER PROGRAM
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