The Stem Cell Transplant Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) has been accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and recognized by the Joint Commission (JC) for maintaining the standards and requirements of FACT.

"The StemCell Transplant Program is part of the Department of Medicine Hematology Oncology Service, and we provide cellular therapy treatment to eligible patients who have cancer," said Elisha Nixon, quality program manager for the Stem Cell Transplant.

 

"Most of these patients have either multiple myeloma, and all treatment is done here as an inpatient," Nixon continued. "If a patient meets the criteria, a stem cell transplant can be done to essentially get their immune system up and going again after they have received high-dose chemotherapy. Our program here is an autologous stem cell transplant program, meaning that we collect the patient's own stem cells from them through a process called apheresis, and after their chemotherapy treatment or at a future date which could be years later, we reinfuse their own stem cells back into the same patient. All apheresis are done on 5W as inpatient and our program takes a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that all services provided by the team are streamlined and follow best practices at all times," she added.

 

As quality program manager, Nixon spearheaded changes within the Stem Cell Transplant Program leading to its accreditation by FACT and recognition by JC. "We did a complete revamp of all processes, documents, standard operating procedures and medical equipment. In addition, the laboratory had a complete revamp and reorganized for inspection ready...always."

 

According to FACT, which promotes quality patient care and laboratory practice in cellular therapies, FACT standards promote improvement and progress in cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. "Meeting these requirements demonstrates a commitment to controlling every aspect that impacts the quality of products and therapeutic care. FACT standards are evidence-based requirements set by international teams of world-renowned experts vested in the improvement and progress of cellular therapy. Standards are developed by consensus within committees consisting of knowledgeable clinicians, scientists, technologists and quality experts that span the entire continuum of cell manufacturing," FACT officials state.

 

"With regular updates through the collaboration of the most knowledgeable minds in cellular therapy, the depth and breadth of FACT standards are unmatched," FACT officials add. "These international requirements instill confidence in cellular therapy products from FACT-accredited organizations around the world," furthered FACT officials.
 

The Stem Cell Therapy Program and Department of Medicine Hematology Oncology Service works in conjunction with the Murtha Cancer Center (MCC) at WRNMMC. The MCC is a tri-service center where military beneficiaries receive care in all disciplines of cancer treatment. The center resulted from the integration of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center, Malcolm Grow Medical Center and the U.S. Military Cancer Institute. It includes more than 300 board-certified oncologists and professional clinical and support staff specialized in all aspects of cancer care -- from first diagnosis through therapy, follow-up care to survivorship. The center also teams with the Uniformed Services University and National Cancer Institute to provide state-of-the-science cancer care.

 

Approximately 1,000 service members are diagnosed with a cancer annually, in addition to those other Military Health System beneficiaries and veterans also stricken with the disease, according to founding director of the MCC, Dr. Craig Shriver, a retired Army colonel. They deserve the best chance of cure possible, and the MCC's partnership with various agencies and organizations help to ensure that with the health-care resources of the federal government and other groups behind them, they will get the best care deserving of those who serve the nation in uniform and their families, he added.