Tulane Medical Center blood and marrow transplant program receives internationally recognized accreditation

Tulane Medical Center, in partnership with Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network, announced today its accreditation by the internationally recognized Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). FACT is a non-profit corporation co-founded by the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) and the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) for the purposes of voluntary inspection and accreditation in the field of cellular therapy.

Tulane Medical Center voluntarily sought and met the most rigorous standards in blood and marrow transplant, or cellular therapy, to receive accreditation. Its comprehensive cancer clinic's Bone Marrow Transplant Program is the only FACT accredited adult center in the state of Louisiana for both autologous and allogeneic transplants, performing related and unrelated donor transplants. Additionally, it is the only National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) transplant, apheresis and collection center for adults in Louisiana.

“Tulane Medical Center’s FACT accreditation further demonstrates our commitment to delivering quality patient care,” said Hana Safah, MD, medical director of Tulane’s Bone Marrow Transplant Program. “Our comprehensive services ensure blood cancer patients can access state-of-the-art care closer to home.”

As a member of the Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network, Tulane Medical Center offers blood cancer services that focus on quality standards, infrastructure, training, research and technology to address every aspect of blood cancer care. Founded in 1994, the program takes a multidisciplinary approach to stem cell transplantation, which ensures patients stay connected to an entire care team of oncologists, hematologists, psychologists, nursing specialists, laboratory technicians, and social workers.

“Achieving FACT accreditation and establishing best practices for transplant care are essential components to being a part of the Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network,” said Fred LeMaistre, MD, physician in chief of blood cancers for Sarah Cannon. “As an integral member of our network, Tulane Medical Center physician leaders collaborate with other blood cancer specialists through conferences to recommend the best treatment options for patients that support improved outcomes.”

Tulane Medical Center also provides access to stem cell transplant clinical trial options, which allow patients the opportunity to participate in promising therapies early in their development.