Dana-Farber and Beth Israel collaborate on cancer care and new hospital

Photo: Andrey Denisyuk/Getty Images

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston have announced plans to collaborate on cancer care and build an independent, free-standing inpatient hospital for adult cancer patients.

The Dana-Farber Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Collaboration is designed to transform the future patient experience by improving access, by better integrating innovations at the bedside and by offering high-value care, Dana-Farber said. The collaboration focuses exclusively on cancer care.  

Each organization will remain fully independent, including their executive leadership, boards of trustees and philanthropy, while leveraging the expertise and research of both institutions. 

The proposed state-of-the-art inpatient cancer hospital will operate under the license of Dana-Farber and provide adult medical oncology care. 

Together, Dana-Farber and Beth Israel, with its affiliated physician group Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians, will establish a coordinated clinical and organizational structure for oncology care in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston. 

Pending regulatory approvals, it will take several years to implement the cancer collaboration and construct the new cancer hospital, according to the release.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Dana-Farber has long been affiliated with Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston for inpatient and surgical care. This will continue through the transition, Dana-Farber said. 

Beth Israel's independent oncology programs will also continue until the new collaboration is in place. 

The Boston Globe reported: "Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have announced plans to build a new free-standing inpatient hospital for adult cancer care in Boston, breaking the cancer hospital's almost 30-year relationship with Brigham and Women's in a move executives said will reshape oncology care in the region."

Dana Farber said that at a time when the population is aging, cancer incidence is rising in younger adults and severity of illness is increasing, a forward-looking model maximizes the patient benefits of advanced technologies and treatment methods by accelerating the impact of discovery and innovation.

The state-of-the-art inpatient hospital will increase adult patient capacity. It will also create flexibility to incorporate the innovations and technology in cancer care that Dana-Farber and Beth Israel researchers and clinicians are developing.

Located adjacent to existing Dana-Farber and Beth Israel facilities in Longwood, the proposed new cancer hospital will support both seamless patient care and continued focus on research initiatives, the release said.

Outpatient oncology care at Dana-Farber's existing locations in Boston, Chestnut Hill and other regional campuses will not be interrupted. Likewise, the cancer institute's partnership for pediatric cancer care with Boston Children's Hospital will not change. 

Beth Israel Lahey Health will also continue to invest in advancing cancer services at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and at its other hospitals.

THE LARGER TREND

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute was founded in 1947. 

"Dana-Farber provides expert clinical care with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital, and is a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School," its website said. 

ON THE RECORD

"Cancer care has changed dramatically. Through this collaboration, our patients and their loved ones will benefit tremendously from Dana-Farber's leading-edge scientific discovery and exceptional patient care. We believe this will position us to provide world renowned cancer treatment in outpatient and inpatient settings well into the future," said Dr. Laurie H. Glimcher, president and CEO of Dana-Farber. 

"Together, we are taking bold steps to transform how we care for individuals and families touched by cancer, expand equitable access to life-changing care, and harness the power of scientific discovery," said Dr. Kevin Tabb, president and CEO of Beth Israel Lahey Health. "This collaboration and a dedicated, free-standing cancer hospital will be truly unique in Massachusetts. Our community needs and deserves both."  

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org