Broward Health North’s Comprehensive Cancer Center has been granted accreditation with commendation by American College of Surgeons

Broward Health North’s Comprehensive Cancer Center has been granted accreditation with commendation by American College of Surgeons

 Broward Health North’s Accreditation Team including (L to R) Gary Lehr, MD, Medical Director of BHN’s Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Surgical Services, Kevin Fusco, BHN COO, Douglas Faig, MD, Medical Director of BHN’s Medical Oncology, Pauline Grant, BHN CEO, Dr. Marvin Lopez, ACOS Surveyor, Brian McAuley, Regional Manager of BHN’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keva Badaloo, BHN’s Cancer Coordinator, and Dr. David Robinson, BHN Cancer Liaison Physician. 03-28-13

 Submitted by Victoria Israels

      DEERFIELD BEACH, FL. – The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Broward Health North hospital has been granted a three-year accreditation with commendation by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.

     The designation means that Broward Health North “has dedicated itself to providing the best in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer” and that the program meets established national standards, according to the ACoS.

     “We are extremely proud of our Commission on Cancer accreditation. Our goal is to ensure that all of our patients have access to the full range of services needed to diagnose, treat and support patients with cancer and their families,” said Pauline Grant, CEO. “This accreditation reaffirms our commitment to provide the highest level of quality cancer care.”

     A facility receives a three-year accreditation with commendation following the on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor, during which the facility demonstrates compliance with numerous standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program (cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement).

     “This accreditation is recognized as the gold standard in cancer care,” said Brian McAuley, Regional Manager of Cancer Services. “We are proud to receive this elite designation and are very fortunate to have such an amazing team of compassionate, caring physicians and staff.”

     The accreditation program, a component of the Commission on Cancer, sets quality-of-care standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards. Accreditation is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance.

     Receiving care at a Commission on Cancer facility ensures a patient will have access to:

• Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment
• A multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new cutting-edge treatment options
• Access to cancer-related information, resources education and support from an on-site social worker
• A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up
• Ongoing quality monitoring and improvement of care

     Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the Commission on Cancer 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 49 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.

     The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 1.6 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2012. There are currently more than 1,500 Commission on Cancer-accredited cancer programs in the United States and Puerto Rico, representing close to 30 percent of all hospitals. This 30 percent of hospitals diagnose and/or treat approximately 80 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer patients. In addition, a national network of more than 1,650 volunteer cancer liaison physicians provide leadership and support for the Commission on Cancer accreditation program and its activities at local facilities.