Cancer program earns top accreditation

July 11, 2011

The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has awarded the University of Chicago Medical Center a three-year accreditation with commendation, its highest overall rating. The cancer program earned commendations in seven areas:

• Outcomes analysis
• Quality of data submission
• College of American Pathologists (CAP) guidelines
• Clinical trial accrual
• Prevention and early detection
• Cancer education for registry staff
• Cancer-related quality improvements

The accreditation is nationally recognized by organizations such as the Joint Commission, American Cancer Society, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as having established measures for the provision of high-quality cancer care.

"We are honored to receive such a high rating," said University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Michelle Le Beau, PhD. "For our patients, this means they can expect to receive quality, comprehensive care that includes a multidisciplinary team approach, a complete range of state-of-the-art services and treatments, and access to early detection programs, cancer education, and support services."

The Commission on Cancer survey, completed May 10, served as a pilot for standards that will go into effect in 2012. The Commission on Cancer is a consortium of 42 professional organizations dedicated to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients. Its accreditation program sets quality of care standards. The process involves a rigorous evaluation and review. Nearly 50 percent of the 1428 hospitals surveyed--a minority of U.S. hospitals--have at least one contingency.