Virtual Tumor Board
Connecting for Cancer Care The Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region is committed to providing high-quality, highly personalized health care. Working together, our network shares resources and expertise to provide quality, affordable care across our communities. We’re also bringing the latest technology and talent to our communities so everyone can receive the health care they need, close to home. For cancer patients, one way we accomplish this is through tumor boards. Considered an essential component of excellence in cancer care by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, tumor boards are an opportunity for clinicians from multiple specialties to discuss challenging cases with their peers. Because each cancer case is different—and most cancers can be treated in diverse ways—these group discussions enable physicians to explore various options for clinical therapy. They can draw on the expertise of other clinicians while also sharing their own knowledge and experiences to help peers. As a team, they agree on the best treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. By harnessing the collective brainpower of many clinical specialists, tumor boards offer cancer patients greater opportunities for remission or a cure. Ultimately, patients receive high-quality, personalized care in their own communities, from their own physicians. Currently, Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Sutter Davis Hospital, Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Sutter Solano Medical Center hold weekly face-to-face tumor boards at their individual facilities. From time to time, physicians from one facility drive to the meeting of another to discuss a particular case.
Broadening our reach: $525,000 The Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region is launching a Virtual Tumor Board to link physicians from all four facilities via encrypted, state-of-the-art videoconferencing equipment. Each week, they will meet virtually to review patient diagnoses, medical history, laboratory results, radiology and pathology images, and other details of individual cases. The virtual connection will facilitate collaboration among an even greater number of clinicians, and will reduce transportation costs between hospitals.
How you can help Sutter Health believes that every patient deserves consistent, quality health care, tailored to his or her unique needs. A virtual tumor board will broaden access to clinical experts for our many cancer patients. Your philanthropic investment can fund:
Audio systems Cisco dual monitors and cameras Installation costs for each site Technical support
To learn more, please contact Julie Eckardt, Executive Director of Philanthropy for Sutter Medical Foundation, at (530) 749-3347 or eckardj@sutterhealth.org.