Cardinal Santos Medical Center Bags the People-Centered Care Commitment Award and Platinum Seal of Accreditation

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Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC), one of the Philippines’ leading hospitals, bags two international awards, adding to its growing list of accolades.

After an exhaustive re-accreditation process in November 2022 which looked into the hospital’s systems and its commitment to quality, safety and people-centered care, CSMC has been recently honored by Accreditation Canada with two awards: the Platinum seal of accreditation, which is an upgrade from the Gold accreditation level achieved by the organization in 2019, and People-Centered Care Commitment Award, being the first organization in Asia to receive the award.

Accreditation Canada is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve healthcare quality and safety in Canada and around the world, providing accreditation services to healthcare organizations. Its accreditation process includes an extensive evaluation of the organization's policies, procedures, and practices and on-site visits to assess the quality and safety of patient care.

Leveling up to Platinum status and being honored with the People-Centered Care Commitment Award is a testament to CSMC’s dedication to upholding global health standards geared to providing patient and family-centered care as well as consistency in service delivery.

“The Platinum accreditation is the culmination of the work that we have put in over the last three years since we achieved the Gold accreditation. It is a validation of our unwavering pursuit of excellent quality patient care, and a motivator for us to continue to strive for excellence in all that we do.”, Dr. Rosemarie V. Serrano, CSMC’s Chief Quality Officer proudly speaks up, as she looked back on the hospital’s ACI re-accreditation journey.

CSMC’s President & CEO, Mr. Raul C. Pagdanganan, also weighed in on the significance of the People-Centered Care Commitment Award. “At Cardinal Santos, we believe that providing exceptional care is not just about treating the illness, but about treating the whole person. We are thrilled to be recognized by Accreditation Canada with the People-Centered Care Commitment Award, as it highlights our unwavering commitment in providing care that is centered around our patients and their families.”. He further emphasized that “This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff and healthcare providers, who go above and beyond to ensure that every patient receives the best possible care. We are proud of this achievement and remain committed to delivering patient-centered care with excellence.”

Cardinal Santos Medical Center is also certified Platinum by Investors in People and certified for ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System standards, by SOCOTEC Certification Philippines, Inc.

CSMC advocates for feminine wellness this National Women’s Month

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Conversations about feminine wellness are still considered taboo or even shameful, especially in conservative countries like the Philippines. From menstrual problems to reproductive health and even menopause concerns, there is still a significant lack of resources for women regarding these issues.

Dr. Catherine Howard

“Women deserve access to all the information and resources they need to ensure that their feminine wellness is taken care of,” said Dr. Catherine Howard, head of Cardinal Santos Medical Center’s (CSMC) Reproductive and Sexual Health committee and the CSMC Laser Gynecologic Group. “Feminine health is nothing to be ashamed about.”

In celebration of National Women’s Month, CSMC recently hosted a webinar promoting feminine health awareness among women. Dr. Howard herself discussed some common feminine health issues experienced by women and what treatment options are available, such as FemiLift.

FemiLift is an FDA-approved non-surgical laser-assisted procedure designed to improve vaginal irregularities and rejuvenate vaginal tissues. FemiLift uses a clinically established CO2 laser technology to gently heat vaginal tissue, contracting existing fibers and stimulating production of new collagen, which helps give the vaginal tissues strength and flexibility. It is fast, painless, safe and effective.

“We see FemiLift as a solution for a wide range of feminine indications such as stress urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, laxity and even recurrent infections,” said Howard. “There are certain stages in a woman’s life where these issues are almost inevitable, like menopause or post-delivery of a baby. Some of these can be addressed using exercise, therapies, hormonal treatments, natural remedies and of course laser colpoplasty, which is FemiLift.”

Menopause is the cessation of a woman’s menstrual period some time around her 40’s to 50’s. During this time, women develop symptoms caused by hypoestrogenic changes. This is because with age, the vaginal tissues become thinner, drier, less elastic and more easily irritated.

One of these symptoms is stress urinary incontinence, a leakage of urine when there is abdominal pressure, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing or exercise. In more severe cases, some patients might even need to use sanitary pads or adult diapers to prevent leakages.

“FemiLift helps treat stress urinary incontinence by strengthening weak pelvic floor muscles, which is what women use to hold in their pee,” Howard noted. “It also revitalizes the vaginal lining, increases thickness of the vaginal walls and restores lubrication. Additionally, FemiLift helps generate new healthy tissue with higher immune resistance to infection.”

FemiLift can also be used in post-delivery rehabilitation. Before, during and after vaginal birth, women’s hormones fluctuate and their bodies go through many changes, such as weakened pelvic floor muscles and vaginal dryness. With FemiLift, the laser treatment strengthens, tones and restores vaginal tissue flexibility.

“What’s good about this is that it is just a minor procedure, like an ultrasound. You don’t need anesthesia of any sort, in ten to twenty minutes you’re done with the procedure and the entire treatment can be finished in three sessions, so once a month for three months,” Howard said.

CSMC has been offering FemiLift through its Comprehensive Women’s Care Unit since 2018, but had to halt procedures because of the pandemic. Now, FemiLift is open once more to the public for only Php 65,000 for three sessions. The effects of the procedure generally last 12 to 18 months, but Howard shared that some of her patients reported a consistently satisfactory vaginal condition despite having their last procedure in 2018 or 2019.

“People might think FemiLift is just for improved sexual activity, but in reality it’s also effective in treating very real concerns and conditions in the feminine area,” Howard stressed. “It is a medical treatment for menopausal women, women experiencing issues post-delivery and women who are at risk for recurrent infections. There are a lot of benefits from this treatment. I highly recommend it.”

For more information about the programs and services that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.

Cardinal Santos Medical Center covers cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery in latest webicon

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Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) continues to educate the public on relevant medical issues with their 6th webicon, entitled “One Big Fight: A Webicon on Ways to Prevent, Detect, and Treat Cancer”. The webicon was held on October 14 via Zoom.

CSMC’s top cancer specialists came together to discuss key facts about Cancer, from diagnosis, the various ways to prevent cancer from developing, and CSMC’s services for cancer treatment.

The Oncology experts who served as the session resource speakers were Dr. Ma. Luisa Abesamis-Tiambeng, Dr. Kitchie Antipuesto, and Dr. Pauline Anne Cauton from the hospital’s Cancer Institute.

Dr. Antipuesto started off the webicon with a talk on what cancer essentially is, and the different kinds of cancer a person may develop. 

For her part, Dr. Cauton covered how to get accurate diagnoses for cancer and the most effective treatments for it. As cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in the country, one of the session’s main objective was to dispel common myths and misconceptions about cancer detection, as well as touch on behaviors and lifestyle choices that contribute to the development of the disease.

Meanwhile, Dr. Abesamis-Tiambeng, the chairperson of CSMC’s Cancer Institute, discussed the future of cancer treatment and therapy, including the services and facilities CSMC’s Cancer Center offers. She highlighted that the hospital’s Cancer Center is the first one-stop-shop cancer center in the country, with state-of-the-art chemotherapy and radiation facilities and other programs that provide a holistic healing process for cancer patients such as spiritual guidance and counselling opportunities.

“We work together for a common goal - to give the best care possible to the cancer patient,” Dr. Abesamis-Tiambeng emphasized. “Our cancer center team [is] a group of caring, competent and compassionate individuals, committed to alleviate the plight of each cancer patient entrusted to our care. We invite you to partner with us and together we will win the battle against the Big C.”

To encourage and give hope to the session’s viewers, the hospital also invited Ms. Greta Chua, a breast cancer survivor and former patient of the CSMC Cancer Center, to share her experience fighting the disease, and how CSMC’s cancer program helped her recover from her condition.

“Battling cancer for 14 years wasn’t easy, but I am thankful [to CSMC] for [providing] effective and appropriate treatments, and [ensuring] that I am well-taken care of,” Ms. Chua shared. “I’m really grateful that I was given the opportunity to be treated in a world-class hospital with excellent doctors and nurses. Because of them, I get to embrace the value of life.”

For more information about CSMC’s Cancer Institute, their cancer treatment and therapy services, as well as other services the hospital offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.

Compassion and excellence at the heart of Cardinal Santos Medical Center

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Clinical excellence has always been the core of Cardinal Santos Medical Center’s (CSMC) services—from its medical staff composed of some of the most respected doctors today, to the technology that it uses to bring the most groundbreaking services to its patients. 

Clinical excellence throughout the years. Dr. Zenaida Javier-Uy, Senior Vice-President and Chief Medical Officer of Cardinal Santos Medical Center shares how the hospital has continuously strived to be at the forefront of the medical industry by providing innovative services and investing in groundbreaking technologies. 

“Clinical excellence encompasses a lot of things, not just excellent doctors in terms of knowledge, but excellence in being an innovator—leading the pack, so to speak. The patients seek out our services because they know how good our doctors are. It also encompasses the services we offer and how our people take care of our patients. We continuously improve on our 

ways as we remain determined to be top of mind for our patients when and if they need to go to a hospital,” said Dr. Zenaida Javier-Uy, Chief Medical Officer of CSMC. 

Dr. Javier-Uy has been with CSMC for forty-two years and has witnessed how the hospital has continuously strived to be at the forefront of the medical industry over the years. 

This brand of clinical excellence has been the driving factor behind CSMC’s investments in groundbreaking technologies, which in turn has enabled it to offer some of its most innovative services like Gamma Knife Surgery. Considered to be the gold standard technique in Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Gamma Knife Surgery allows neurosurgeons to make no incisions as they treat sensitive ailments of the brain, making the procedure simple, painless, and straightforward. 

“We really take pride in being first in a lot of things,” Dr. Javier-Uy adds. 

Passion for people. (Dr. Zenaida Javier-Uy, Senior Vice-President and Chief Medical Officer, with the Medical Executive Committee of Cardinal Santos Medical Center) The hospital continues to attract the best minds in the industry as it consistently strengthens its development programs for their doctors, nurses, and hospital staff. 

Complementing these technological innovations, CSMC continues to provide training and development tools to its people to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary advanced skills. For medical professionals, CSMC has established Philippine Center for Advanced Surgery - Minimally Invasive Training Center (PCAS-MISTC). The PCAS-MISTC is the first of its kind in the Philippines and is one of the few MIS facilities on advanced surgery in Asia. 

For the nursing underboards in their team, CSMC has launched Project Apple, a development program that enables them to pursue their dreams to be a fully licensed nurse. Project Apple was designed to establish a robust nursing talent pipeline for the organization while helping transform lives in the process. 

For Dr. Javier-Uy, these programs are a testament to the hospital’s passion for their people which, in turn, attracted some of the best medical minds to the hospital. 

“To most of us CSMC is home, we are a really family-oriented hospital,” she says. 

Just like they treat their people as family, CSMC gives the same level of value to their patients. 

“Here at CSMC, you are family. That is our corporate brand, but truly that’s how all of us feel. When you are here in CSMC you are part of a caring and loving family,” Dr. Javier-Uy explained. 

This marriage between medical expertise and compassion is what cemented Cardinal Santos Medical Center’s commitment to provide world-class healthcare to its patients. 

But what really drives CSMC’s continuous commitment to deliver excellent service and compassionate care is the institution’s rootedness to the Catholic faith—the very faith that, according to Dr. Javier-Uy, provides clarity, resolve, and direction for many of their medical staff. 

“It is our faith that has played a big role on how we take care of our patients and why malasakit is an extremely important value of the hospital,” Dr. Javier-Uy concluded. 

For more information about these services and others that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos. 

GE and Cardinal Santos Memorial Center Presents Future of Cancer Care

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This Wednesday ( March 8 ) GE Philippines together with Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) held a media discussions where key Healthcare Stakeholders share their views on the following topics:

• The current state of cancer care in the Philippines
• The need for more education around cancer prevention and seeking treatment early
• The technologies and treatments available to help detect and treat cancer in the Philippines 

Health experts share view on current state of cancer care in the Philippines. 

• Cancer is one of the Philippines’ top causes of death, claiming 56,000 lives per year.
• Increasing number of new cancer cases worldwide is alarming and becoming more pressing for institutions like Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMS) to pursue strategic interventions.
• CSMC’s latest effort to meet the Philippines’ needs on cancer care is the installation of the GE Discovery™ PET/CT 710, which features high sensitivity, advanced protocol flexibility, and high-definition image reconstruction to help doctors recommend the best possible tailor regimen for patients, while minimizing radiation.

Early diagnosis key to preventing cancer, experts advise

Despite the increasing number of cancer deaths worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) reiterates that between 30-50 percent of cancers can be prevented by interventions such as lifestyle changes and early screening. ¹

In the Philippines, cancer claims the lives of 56, 000 Filipinos a year, making it one of the country’s top causes of death.² Top cancer killers in the Philippines include breast, lung, colorectal, liver and cervical cancers. ³

According to the World Health Organization, cancer was responsible for nearly 8.8 million deaths in 2015, a number that could reach 17 million by 2030.⁴

“The increasing number of new cancer cases worldwide is alarming and it becomes more pressing for us to pursue strategic interventions,” said Dr. Christine Gruenberg of the Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC).

Diagnosed too late

Cancer symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue, and skin changes are often mistaken for common illnesses that by the time of diagnosis, the tumors have already spread to other parts of the body.⁵

Though one third of cancer deaths are due to behavioral and dietary risks namely high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and alcohol use, factors such as family history, physical environment, and infectious agents like HPV also contribute to the rise of cancer incidence worldwide.⁶

Patients’ survival chances also get slimmer when their cancer is diagnosed at a late stage. Aside from lower likelihood of survival, delayed diagnosis also causes serious treatment-related side effects and higher healthcare costs.⁷

PET/ CT Inauguration ( Cardinal Santos Medical Center)

Better cancer outcomes

The WHO identified three steps that can help improve diagnosis: improving awareness, capacity building, and ensuring treatment access. ⁸

Treatment methods cannot begin, however, if there is no pathologic confirmation of the disease. This is why the availability of advanced healthcare technology matters in improving diagnosis, said GE Healthcare Philippines Country Manager Ivan Arota.

“Just like all other health challenges, addressing the burden of cancer requires a multi-sectoral approach. Our work as a healthcare solutions provider does not stop with the development of innovative medical equipment,” Arota said.

“We help build on the diagnostic capacity of healthcare workers pursuant to the recommendations of the WHO,” he added.

CSMC’s latest effort to meet the Philippines’ needs on cancer care is the installation of the Discovery™ PET/CT 710. The Discovery PET/CT 710 features high sensitivity, advanced protocol flexibility, and high-definition image reconstruction to help doctors recommend the best possible tailor regimen for patients, while minimizing radiation.

A PET-CT scan is an invaluable diagnostic tool in cancer care that simultaneously performs two individual tests to detect cancer and determine its stage. The highly sensitive PET scan detects the metabolic signal of actively growing cancer cells - a key element in the diagnostic process; while the CT scan creates a detailed image of abnormal cancerous tissues inside the body, including their location and size.

To identify any abnormalities, a radiopharmaceutical marker called Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is injected into the patient. The PET scanner picks up the signal produced by the marker, creating images of the FDG distribution in the body. Combined, a PET-CT scan provides doctors with comprehensive information on the disease and allows them to plan treatment effectively.

“When healthcare providers recommend treatment options to cancer patients, they rely heavily on data generated by equipment and other tools. We can’t compromise quality and efficient monitoring because lives are at stake,” said CSMC Medical Director Dr. Zenaida Javier-Uy.

“The addition of a PET/CT in CSMC’s range of equipment and services will help us in our commitment to provide improved cancer care and better clinical outcomes for our patients,” Dr. Javier-Uy added.

About GE:

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

1 World Health Organization Media centre http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/

2 World Health Organization Cancer Country Profile Philippines http://www.who.int/cancer/country-profiles/phl_en.pdf?ua=1

3 International Agency for Research on Cancer GLOBOCAN 2012 http://globocan.iarc.fr/Pages/fact_sheets_population.aspx

4 The global burden of cancer: priorities for prevention https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2802672/

5 American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-basics/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer.html

6 World Health Organization Media centre http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/ ; American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-basics/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer.html

7 World Health Organization http://www.who.int/cancer/prevention/diagnosis-screening/en/

8 World Health Organization http://www.who.int/cancer/prevention/diagnosis-screening/en/

Is health a part of your New Year’s resolution? Find a healthy lifestyle!

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Medical checkups address one of the New Year’s toughest challenges—maintaining your health.

After a well-earned holiday vacation filled with feasts and merrymaking, the New Year gives Filipinos the perfect opportunity to plan and reassess their health for the next 365 days. And it starts with a simple medical checkup.

“Yearly medical checkups are vital in ensuring your health and well-being,” says Sarah Gatpolintan, Wellness Center Supervisor of Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC). “Even though everything appears to be normal, you cannot take risks when it comes to your health. The only way to validate your wellness is to visit a doctor.”

Heart problems are particularly relevant for Filipinos, who typically find it difficult to resist the allure of oily and fatty foods—especially during the long Christmas break. The National Statistics Office says five of 10 deaths in the Philippines are related to cardiovascular complications, making their early detection and prevention all the more necessary.

CSMC conducts checkups for around 60-80 patients every month, and most of them have made these medical consultations a regular part of their yearly health regimens. According to Gatpolintan, these visits are comprised of comprehensive head-to-toe checkups, including blood work, urinalysis, and lipid profiling.

The wellness expert adds: “Checkups easily detect the onset of lifestyle-related diseases, like hypertension and other heart-related illnesses. For such cases, early detection can be the difference between preventing the condition and living with it for the rest of your life.”

Early detection and prevention are just some of the many benefits that regular checkups offer. Essentially, the results of a medical examination become the basis for a person’s health plans for the next year.

Find a healthy lifestyle

After the results of a checkup are finalized, a doctor evaluates them and imparts befitting lifestyle advice to the patient. For most adults, maintaining a clean bill of health can be achieved by a simple combination of regular exercise and well-balanced dieting.

“A thirty-minute walk three times a week can keep you in functional physical shape, while adding some color to your plate (fruits and vegetables) is a small adjustment that can make a big difference in living a healthier lifestyle,” explains Gatpolintan. “Of course, it is always best to consult doctors and specialists to discover specific workout programs and diet plans tailor-made for your body’s needs.”

Build a relationship with your doctor

Checkups also give patients an opportunity to build rapport with their doctors. Established relationships influence a person’s willingness to visit a physician or get a checkup regularly, and they also let doctors guide the progression of the patient’s long-term health.

“Trust is essential in building a patient’s confidence to visit a doctor,” says Gatpolintan. “Once trust is established, even the most fearful and apprehensive patients become more comfortable with the process and they begin consistently scheduling appointments on their own.”

Design a blueprint for your health

Typically, personal resolutions for the next 12 months focus on working harder or traveling more; but ensuring one’s health and well-being is a prerequisite to fulfilling these aspirations.

“Certifying your health for the next year is a worthwhile investment and it only takes a few hours,” says Gatpolintan. “Learning about your health today lets you know the medical risks you might face tomorrow—and this goes a long way in securing your health and wellness.”

About Cardinal Santos Medical Center

CSMC is a leading hospital in the Philippines, and is most known for its expertise in Neurosurgery, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Care, Minimally Invasive Surgery, as well as Rehabilitation Medicine.

Instituted in 1974, CSMC prides itself in delivering excellent, personalized healthcare to its patients. Throughout its decades of service, the hospital has been characterized by passion, commitment, and professionalism, which are directed towards providing the best experience for its patients and guests. At CSMC, the organizational framework is built on trust, leadership, loyalty, and teamwork.

The 235-bed tertiary hospital is also a proven training facility for aspiring doctors and healthcare practitioners in the country.

Cardinal Santos Medical Center is managed by Colinas Verdes Hospital Managers Corporation (CVHMC) under Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), its sister companies include Smart Communications, PLDT, Meralco, Maynilad Water Services, Manila North Tollway, and ABC/TV5 Network.