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Mixing Care And Comfort

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 23, 2008

Updated:

UNIVERSITY AREA - Days before her appointment at University Community Hospital's new Breast Care Center, Ana Sonnier had painted a mental image of what to expect during her first visit.

For the 33-year-old Wesley Chapel resident, who had never had a diagnostic breast exam, it was not a pretty picture.

Judging by the comments of others who had gone through mammograms and other tests for breast cancer, she dreaded subjecting herself to their scenarios of impersonal clinicians within sterile, hurry-up-and-wait environments.

Instead, she was greeted with a smile by the receptionist, offered something to drink and shown about the 4,000-square-foot facility, which includes an array of medical equipment and a large waiting room with cushioned chairs and a big-screen TV set in a wall of individually cut and stacked stone.

Radiology specialist Theresa Winsey, whom Sonnier described as kind and compassionate, guided her through the process of a magnetic resonance imaging screening. It had been recommended by her primary care physician after she informed him of pain in the tissue surrounding her breast implants.

"It's been great so far. It doesn't feel at all like a hospital," said Sonnier, seated in a comfortably appointed room while waiting to hear the next step in her diagnostic process.

Winsey, also the center's supervisor, said she and her team do whatever it takes during the procedure - such as offer pillows and provide footrests - to help make a patient comfortable while lying on her stomach during the 10- to 15-minute procedure.

After viewing the digital results of tests, which also include mammograms and bone density exams, on-staff radiologist Kay Reed makes herself available to speak with patients about her findings and, if necessary, inform them of follow-up treatment options.

If a breast-tissue biopsy is recommended and the patient consents, the minimally invasive process can be performed by the radiologist the same day. Results are available within two or three days, according to Christine Walsh, director of imaging at UCH.

"We never say to the patient, 'It looks like cancer,'" Winsey said. "But if we think it looks worrisome, we can offer to schedule an appointment with a breast surgeon."

The center's objective, she noted, is to streamline a process that normally involves a patient scheduling several appointments at different sites and can take months to complete.

"We're here to expedite things," said Winsey, a 28-year UCH employee who formerly oversaw the UCH Women Center's diagnostic technology and who is available to patients and family member by cell phone 24 hours a day. She also has access to breast cancer survivors who can offer their support.

She is grateful to Jeff Oskin, UCH's vice president of ancillary and support services, and his team for sparing no expense with the center's layout and medical equipment.

"They are committed to make this work," Winsey said.

Oskin said it was an easy decision for the hospital's board to make.

"Studies show what we can do here in a very short time is generally at least a 60-day procedure for most women," he said. "We just knew there was a need."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: University Community Hospital Breast Care Center

WHERE: LifeHope Medical Offices, Suite 100, 3000 Medical Park Drive

WHEN: From 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

INFORMATION: Call (813) 615-7120.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib .com.

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