Cohen Children’s stem cell transplant program receives accreditation

The Island Now

Cohen Children’s Medical Center’s comprehensive stem cell transplant program recently underwent a successful three-year accreditation renewal by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy.

This accreditation applies to all services and facilities at Cohen that were inspected by FACT, specifically pediatric allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation, marrow and peripheral blood product collection, and cellular therapy product processing.

The hematopoietic stem cell transplant program has been an integral part of the division of hematology/oncology and stem cell transplantation since 1991 and has made possible hundreds of successful stem cell transplants for a wide variety of malignant and nonmalignant disorders.

Patients are treated in the Gambino Medical and Science Foundation Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit by an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals that includes attending physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers and child life therapists, nutritionists and others, all of whom coordinate their efforts for the benefit of their young patients.

The program performs both autologous and allogenic stem cell transplants. Autologous stem cell transplantation involves patients using their own stem cells. This is used predominately for patients diagnosed with solid tumors, as well as patients with Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

An allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant is a transplant from a donor who is immunologically compatible with the patient and involves matching a patient’s tissue type with that of a related or unrelated donor.

“We are thrilled to once again successfully renew our accreditation by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy,” said Dr. Joel A. Brochstein, associate chief for cellular therapy for the division of hematology/oncology and stem cell transplantation at Cohen.

“FACT accreditation hinges upon demonstrating excellent clinical practices that maximize the effectiveness of our transplants while also ensuring the well-being of our young patients. Successful accreditation demands a team effort that involves physicians, nurses, technologists, social workers, physical therapists and child life therapists. I am very proud of all of them.”

For more information about the hematopoietic stem cell transplant program at Cohen, call (718) 470-3460.

 

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