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Cancer Care Accreditation

The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted Three-Year Approval with Commendation to the Cancer Program at Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville.

A facility receives a Three-Year Approval with Commendation following the onsite evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility demonstrates a Commendation level of compliance with one or more standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program (cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement). In addition, a facility receives a compliance rating for all other standards.

The Cancer Program at Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville is the longest standing ACOS program in the state of KY with its first approval in 1976.

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality care. Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and 42 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.

The core functions of the CoC include:

  • Setting standards for quality
  • Multidisciplinary cancer patient care
  • Surveying facilities to evaluate compliance with the 36 CoC standards
  • Collecting standardized and quality data from approved facilities
  • Using the data to develop effective educational interventions to improve cancer care outcomes at the national, state, and local level

The Approvals Program, a component of the CoC, sets quality-of-care standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards. Approval by the CoC is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. To maintain approval, facilities with CoC approved cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years.

Receiving care at a CoC approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to:

  • Comprehensive care, including a range of advanced services and equipment
  • A multispecialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
  • Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options
  • Access to cancer-related information, education, and support
  • A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up
  • Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care
  • And, most importantly, quality care close to home

Through an exclusive partnership with the American Cancer Society, the CoC provides the public with information on the resources, services, and cancer treatment experience for each CoC approved cancer program. This information is shared with the public on the American Cancer Society's Web site at cancer.org and through the American Cancer society's National Cancer Information Center at 800-ACS-2345.

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