Carson Tahoe Cancer Center is the Only Freestanding, Fully Accredited Cancer Center in Northern Nevada to Receive all nine (full) commendation by the Commission on Cancer.

The Carson Tahoe cancer program received commendations for nine standards including excellence in outreach, “terrific” clinical trial accrual in partnership with the University of Colorado; and 95% compliance with adoption/monitoring of national guidelines.

A facility receives a Three-Year Approval with Commendation following the on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility demonstrates a Commendation level of compliance with one or more 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.

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival rates 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 and 42 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.

The core functions of the CoC include setting standards for quality, multidisciplinary cancer patient care; surveying facilities to evaluate compliance with the 36 CoC
standards; collecting standardized and quality data from approved facilities; and using the data to develop effective educational interventions to improve cancer care outcomes at the national, state, and local level. 

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that more than 1.4 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2007.  There are currently more than 1,400 CoC-approved cancer programs in the US and Puerto Rico, representing close to 25 percent of all hospitals.  This 25 percent of hospitals diagnose and/or treat 80 percent of newly diagnosed cancer patients each year.  In addition, a national network of more than 1,600 volunteer Cancer Liaison Physicians provides leadership and support for the CoC Approvals Program and other CoC activities at these local facilities.

The Approvals Program, a component of the CoC, sets quality-of-care standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards.  Approval 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 approval, facilities with CoC-approved cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years.

Receiving care at a CoC-approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to:

• comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the art services and equipment
• a multispecialty, 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
• And, most importantly, Quality care close to home.

More information on the Commission on Cancer at : www.facs.org/cancer/index.html