Presbyterian Healthcare 
2005 News Releases
Presbyterian Earns Commendation from Commission on Cancer
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July 7, 2005 Contact: Heidi M. Middel, Public Relations & Marketing |
Presbyterian Cancer Center has been approved for three years with commendation as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Fewer than 25 percent of the nation's hospitals have cancer programs approved by the commission. In 1988, Presbyterian was the first hospital in North Carolina to receive this designation.
Established by the ACS in 1932, the Approvals Program sets standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards. Recognizing that cancer is a complex group of diseases, the program promotes consultation among surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists and other cancer specialists. This multidisciplinary, or team approach, results in improved patient care.
Presbyterian Cancer Center not only met the ACS standards but is the first Charlotte area hospital to earn commendation for surpassing the level of requirement in the following areas: clinical trial accrual, prevention and early detection, cancer registry staff education, AJCC staging, cancer data submission and improvement affecting cancer patient care.
"The distinction of commendation shows our commitment to providing what is best for the patient," said Dr. Richard Reiling, medical director of Presbyterian Cancer Center. "We come together as a team - oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, pathologists, primary care physicians, nurses and administrative personnel all work together to ensure we provide optimal care for each person."
Receiving care at a CoC-Approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to:
- Quality care close to home.
- Comprehensive care offering a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.
- A multi-specialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options available to cancer patients.
- Information about cancer research trials, education and support.
- Lifelong patient follow-up through a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results.
- Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.
Approval by the CoC is given only to those facilities that voluntarily commit to providing the best in diagnosis and treatment of cancer and agree to undergo a rigorous evaluation process and performance review. Eighty percent of cancer patients are treated by a CoC-Approved program.
For more information, contact Presbyterian Cancer Center at 704-384-4750.
