South San Francisco, CA April 17, 2018 Submitted by Joe Fragola, Kaiser Permanente PR & Media Relations
Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco is being recognized nationally for providing outstanding care to cancer patients. The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) awarded the oncology program a three-year accreditation with commendation as a designated Comprehensive Community Cancer Program.
The Commission on Cancer is dedicated to improving the survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care. To earn CoC accreditation, hospital cancer programs must meet 34 quality care standards, be evaluated every three years through a survey process, and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered cancer care.
The three-year accreditation with commendation is only awarded to a facility that exceeds standard requirements at the time of its triennial survey. Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco was awarded three commendations for exceeding the CoC’s standards.
“This accreditation is a testament to the hard work and dedication by our multi-disciplinary teams of physicians, nurses, and staff,” said John Skerry, MD, Physician-in-Chief for Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco. “We are proud of the success in meeting and exceeding the high-quality standards the Commission on Cancer has set.”
CoC-accredited cancer centers like Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco must also demonstrate that they take a multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer as a complex group of diseases that requires consultation among surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, and other cancer specialists.
When patients receive care at a CoC-accredited facility, they also have access to information on clinical trials and new treatments, genetic counseling, and patient centered services including psycho-social support, a patient navigation process, and a survivorship care plan that documents the care each patient receives and seeks to improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by the Commission on Cancer for the excellent care we provide our cancer patients,” said Ron Groepper, Senior Vice President & Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente Greater San Francisco Area. “It is so gratifying to know that physicians, nurses and staff are recognized for providing great care and compassion to our patients and their families.
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/cancer
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