The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) has granted a three-year accreditation with commendation to the cancer program at Harrison Medical Center.
With this recognition, Harrison is continuing more than two decades of distinction in cancer care for local communities.
A facility receives a three-year accreditation with commendation following the onsite evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility demonstrates a commendation level of compliance with standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program (cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement). In addition, a facility receives a compliance rating for all other standards.
The CoC distinguished Harrison’s exceptional rehabilitation team; active outreach program; perfect quality of data; and impressive improvements.
“We remain steadfast in our focus to provide patients with exceptional oncology services,” said Harrison CEO and President Scott Bosch. “From technology to support to facility expansion efforts, patients can trust that our cancer care meets their needs.”
Harrison’s oncology services provides a comprehensive range of sophisticated cancer treatments with the newest drug protocols; intensity-modulated and image-guided radiation therapy at its Radiation Oncology Center; and chemotherapy regimens. Harrison also provide complementary therapies, support groups and the services of patient navigators to guide patients through the complexities of cancer care. Three of the facilities are dedicated to the unique needs of patients with cancer:
• Harrison Medical Center—Bremerton, 2520 Cherry Ave.
• Harrison Poulsbo Hematology and Oncology, 19500 10th Ave.
• Harrison Bremerton Hematology and Oncology, 2520 Clare Ave., Suite A.
The CoC’s accreditation program sets quality-of-care standards (currently 36) for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards. Accreditation by the CoC is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance.
To maintain accreditation, facilities with CoC-accredited cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years. Harrison also received the CoC’s accreditation with commendation in 2006, the first year the CoC designated this accreditation standard of excellence.
Receiving care at a CoC-accredited cancer program ensures a patient will have access to:
• Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.
• A multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate 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, and offers lifelong patient follow-up.
• Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that more than 1.4 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2009. There currently are more than 1,400 CoC-accredited cancer programs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, representing nearly 25 percent of all hospitals. This 25 percent of hospitals diagnose and/or treat 80 percent of newly diagnosed cancer patients each year.
Through an exclusive partnership with the American Cancer Society, the CoC provides the public with information on the resources, services, and cancer treatment experience for each CoC-accredited cancer program. This information is shared with the public on the American Cancer Society’s Web site at www.cancer.org and through the American Cancer Society’s National Cancer Information Center at (800) 227-2345.
