[ HEALTHCARE ]
Getting a mammogram during coronavirus symptoms or lumps. A diagnostic mammogram is different from a screening mammogram. It’s used if palpable lumps are felt or other clinical symptoms appear. Your doctor will help you understand which is right for you.
Houston Methodist Clear Lake nationally recognized Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital was awarded an ‘A’ in the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital’s achievements providing safer health care. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all general hospitals across the country and updated every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors and other harms to patients. “The Leapfrog Hospital Survey is the gold standard for comparing hospitals on standards of safety and quality,” said Dan Newman, CEO of Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. “It is a great achievement to be recognized this year with the highest Leapfrog Safety Grade. This award reflects our commitment to patient safety, superior care and exceptional service.” “As the nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.” Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public. To see Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.
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MOVING SLOWLY
O
ver the last few
months, we’ve all primarily focused on “flattening the curve” and keeping ourselves and loved ones safe from COVID-19. And even though coronavirus cases are stabilizing in our community, we must continue to stay committed to preventing the spread of this new virus. But, as we begin to settle into our “new normal” — knowing that the new coronavirus will be with us for some time — we should start thinking about our overall health and wellness again. For women over the age of 40, this includes your annual mammogram. “Many of us spent the last two months putting our personal health care on hold, but now it’s time to bring our whole health back into focus,” says Dr. Modupe Adeyefa, medical director of Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Clear Lake. “Early detection of breast cancer with annual mammography remains our most powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer in women.” Here are three things Dr. Adeyefa would like women to know about getting their annual mammogram in the time of COVID-19.
CARE RESUMED
“In anticipation of a large influx of COVID-19 patients and to follow the orders of our governor, many procedures, including
Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020
“As we begin to turn our full breadth of mammogram services back on, we’ll be doing so slowly and with an abundance of caution,” Dr. Adeyefa explains. “As always, we’re putting patient safety above all else.” Our Breast Care Centers are taking every precaution to keep you safe, including: n Requiring all patients, visitors and employees to wear masks n Screening patients and employees upon arrival to our care centers n Practicing social distancing in our waiting rooms n Increasing housekeeping and vigilance in our disinfection protocols
IMPORTANT TOOL
Dr. Modupe Adeyefa, medical director of Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Clear Lake.
mammograms, were postponed early on during the outbreak,” Dr. Adeyefa explains. “Now that our COVID-19 patient population has stabilized and statewide restrictions have been lifted, we’re resuming care and offering both routine screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms.” As recommended by the American College of Radiology, a screening mammogram is recommended annually for women starting at age 40. This type of mammogram is a yearly, routine check for breast cancer for women who have no
Early detection of breast cancer starts with an annual mammogram Identifying breast cancer early is an incredibly important tool, as we know that early detection improves a woman’s overall prognosis and often results in less aggressive treatment options. “Most women will likely face a diagnosis of breast cancer in herself or a loved one at some point in her life,” says Dr. Adeyefa. Making time for a mammogram every year is an important part of maintaining your overall wellness and protecting yourself from breast cancer. “We at Houston Methodist Breast Care Centers are pleased to offer the best technology to our patients, such as 3D mammograms, which help us evaluate dense breast tissue. In addition, we offer dedicated breast ultrasound, breast MRI and outpatient image-guided breast biopsy,” Dr. Adeyefa adds. “We wish you stay well and visit us soon. We look forward to partnering with you in keeping your health care a priority.” To schedule your mammogram at Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Clear Lake, please call 281.333.8858 or schedule online at houstonmethodist.org/imaging
