Commission on Cancer Awards Bassett Cancer Institute Three-Year Accreditation Bassett one of longest-standing accredited cancer programs

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons has granted three-year accreditation to the Bassett Cancer Institute. The accreditation maintains Bassett’s position as one of the longest standing accredited programs in the country. Bassett’s cancer program has been continuously accredited since 1947.  

“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. Alfred Tinger, medical director and chief of the Bassett Cancer Institute.  “And, Bassett’s accreditation is a significant source of pride for the team of practitioners and staff who care for our patients. We’ve met the CoC’s high standards, often with commendations and no deficiencies as we achieved in this latest audit, for more than six decades. This consistently high performance 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 for the full spectrum of cancer care including prevention, early diagnosis, cancer staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, life-long follow up for recurrent disease, and end-of-life care.  

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2020, there will be more than 1.7 million new cancer cases in the U.S.

“The clinicians and staff are committed to providing our patients with the best possible care and the most current and effective treatment options to include the latest technology as well as clinical trials,” adds Holly Conway, administrative director for Bassett’s Regional Cancer Program.  “We also have a support team that offers our patients a broad spectrum of services such as psycho-social support, financial counseling, nutritional counseling, genetic testing and counseling, as well as navigation and support through and after their treatment. These requirements for accreditation as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center reinforce a multidisciplinary approach to the total care of the patient, with a focus on quality and the patient experience.” 
Like all CoC-accredited facilities, the Bassett Cancer Institute maintains a cancer registry and contributes data to the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), a joint program of the CoC and American Cancer Society. This nationwide oncology outcomes database is the largest clinical disease registry in the world. Data on all types of cancer are tracked and analyzed through the NCDB and used to explore trends in cancer care.  CoC-accredited cancer centers, in turn, have access to information derived from this type of data analysis, which is used to create national, regional, and state benchmark reports.  These reports help CoC facilities with their quality improvement efforts.   

About the Commission on Cancer 
Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving patient outcomes 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.  For more information, visit: www.facs.org/quality-programs/cancer/coc