Northwestern Medical Center is excited to announce that the hospital has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.

“Bridget Thompson, NMC’s Lead CT Technologist, has done an exceptional job of crafting a comprehensive Lung Cancer screening program that we are excited to offer locally to the community,” says David Gervais, Director of Diagnostic Imaging, “and equally important is the close connection to NMC’s smoking cessation program offered through Lifestyle Medicine.”

In order to receive this elite distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in computed tomography in the chest module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. It is also required to have procedures in place for follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs.

This designation means that NMC is prepared to help coordinate the care for these high risk patients. We will be following, tracking and coordinating their care as well as connecting them with Chari Anderson, NMC’s dedicated smoking cessation specialist. Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. In December 2013, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening of adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer – taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.

The ACR, founded in 1924, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States. The ACR devotes its resources to making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.

For more information about the Lung Cancer Screening Center designation, visit: acr.org/Quality-Safety/Lung-Cancer-Screening-Center.