The Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) Oncology Department was honored as one of only two cancer programs in the state to receive The American College of Surgeons’ (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award (OAA). The award, which was developed in 2004, involves an on-site evaluation, and is presented to oncology programs that exceed expectations detailed in six quality standards, including: cancer committee leadership, data management, research, community outreach, and quality improvement. OAAs were presented to 82 cancer treatment providers across the nation for 2009.
Additionally, the LMH Oncology Department was reaccredited by the CoC. As part of the reaccreditation, the Department also received a number one overall rating in the Community Hospitals Cancer Program category. The rating is a comprehensive, three-year commendation based upon an on-site evaluation, and compliance with specific standards. To be eligible for consideration, a hospital or cancer program must compile extensive information, including patient data and treatment statistics, for a three-year period.
The LMH Oncology Department received top honors in all categories included in the accreditation. Standards incorporated in the survey are:
-
Institutional and programmatic resources
-
Cancer committee leadership
-
Cancer data management and cancer registry operations
-
Clinical management
-
Research
-
Community outreach
-
Professional education and staff support
-
Quality improvement
Patients who choose to receive care at a CoC-accredited facility can be assured that the cancer program has been reviewed and approved as a select treatment provider. As a result, patients have access to the following:
-
Comprehensive care, including state-of-the-art services and equipment
-
Multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate optimal treatment
-
Clinical trials and new treatment options
-
Cancer information, education and support
-
Cancer registry that collects data, including type and stage of cancers, treatment results, and offers lifelong patient follow-up
-
Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care
-
Quality care close to home
Licking Memorial Oncology provides comprehensive cancer care for patients. The Oncology program focuses on cancer prevention and early detection, diagnosis, pre-treatment evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and terminal care. In 2009 Licking Memorial Oncology is one of a total of 98 accredited cancer programs accredited by the CoC in Ohio.
The CoC instituted a voluntary accreditation program in 1922 to assess cancer treatment facilities and hospitals through the United States and Puerto Rico, and ensure superior patient care. In 2009 there were more than 1,400 cancer programs accredited by the CoC.