Bassett Earns Accreditation With Commendation

Cooperstown, NY – The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) has granted three-year Accreditation with Commendation to the Bassett Cancer Institute. The accreditation maintains Bassett’s position as the longest standing accredited program in New York State and one of the longest standing accredited programs in the country. Bassett’s cancer program has been continuously accredited since 1956.

“There is a real sense of comfort for the patient and their family in knowing they’re receiving care from an accredited cancer program,” says Dr. James Leonardo, chief of Hematology and Oncology. “And, Bassett’s accreditation is a significant source of pride for the team of providers and staff who care for our patients. We’ve met the CoC’s high standards for 55 years in a row now. That says to our patients that we are committed to providing them with the best care we can.”

The accreditation process occurs every three years and involves an on-site, rigorous evaluation and performance review process to assure cancer programs meet the CoC’s quality of care standards.

“All of the work we do is on behalf of our patients,” notes Dr. Timothy Campbell, chief of Radiation Oncology. “Maintaining the CoC accreditation is a voluntary, but extremely important, commitment that ensures patients have access to the full scope of services required to diagnose, treat, rehabilitate, and support them and their families.”

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 1.5 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed by the end of 2011. Receiving care at a CoC-accredited cancer program ensures a patient will have access to:
 comprehensive care, including a range of sophisticated services and technology
 a broad team of specialists who work together to determine 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, with lifelong patient follow-up available
 ongoing monitoring and improvement of care, and
 quality care close to home

In addition to the accreditation with commendation of the cancer program, the Bassett Cancer Institute was the second program in Central New York to earn accreditation as a designated breast care center from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). As an NAPBC-accredited center, Bassett participates in a national breast disease database to report patterns of care with the goal of continuous quality improvement. Bassett also has access to breast center comparison benchmark reports in order to assess patterns of care and outcomes relative to national norms.

Earlier this year, the Bassett Cancer Institute also achieved STAR certification. Through the STAR program, Bassett providers who work with cancer patients have been trained in the latest oncology rehabilitation care and are implementing research based processes proven to help cancer survivors optimize their healing and function.