Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has affiliated with Berkshire Medical Center, a community hospital in Pittsfield, Mass., according to a report from The Boston Globe.
Here are four things to know about the affiliation.
1. The arrangement means the two organizations can partner on clinical trials and will allow BMC's physicians to consult Dana-Farber specialists when treating complex cancer cases, according to the report.
2. Under the deal, BMC will pay Dana-Farber a fee and will be able to market itself as a member of the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Care Collaborative. As a member, BMC staff will have access to educational opportunities and medical specialists at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's CancerCenter in Boston.
3. Specialists from Dana-Farber and its partner, Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital, evaluated BMC's cancer programs to ensure they were up to their standards before agreeing to the affiliation, according to The Boston Globe.
4. BMC and Dana-Farber will submit their affiliation plan to the state Health Policy Commission, which reviews hospital deals.
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