National Commission on Cancer Approves Marin Cancer Institute
Recognizes Program with Seven Commendations
The Commission on Cancer (COC) of the American College of Surgeons has granted approval and given seven commendations to the Marin Cancer Institute. The Institute is the community cancer program operated by Marin General Hospital and Novato Community Hospital since 1992.The only nationally recognized organization that rates cancer programs, the COC calls approval, “an assurance that patients will receive quality care close to home (and) that services and equipment will be comprehensive and state-of-the-art.”
Only about 20 percent of the country’s cancer programs are presently approved by the COC.
“COC approval acknowledges that a cancer program has the highest quality standards, as well as expertly trained staff and a caring and supporting environment,” said Dr. Lloyd Miyawaki, Medical Director of the Marin Cancer Institute. “All of these factors contribute to positive clinical outcomes and to the physical and emotional well-being of the patient and family.”
Specifically, the COC recognized the Marin Cancer Institute with seven commendations in the following areas:
- Cancer Committee Leadership – For conducting clinically meaningful analysis of patient diagnosis, treatment and outcomes and disseminating this data to medical staff and administration on a regular basis.
- Clinical Management – Two commendations: The first for properly staging (determining the extent and progression of) cancers. Benefits include allowing physicians to determine appropriate treatment, estimate prognosis and evaluate treatment results. The second for following patient management and treatment guidelines that promote an organized approach to providing quality care to patients.
- Research – For helping to advance clinical research by accruing (enrolling) four percent or more of patients in cancer-related clinical trials.
- Community Outreach – For holding prevention and/or early detection programs for the public. These have included free prostate cancer and skin cancer screenings.
- Professional Education and Staff Support – For providing credentialed cancer registry staff (cancer data collection and analysis specialists) the opportunity to participate in national cancer-related educational programs. Topics include advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, changes in cancer program standards and changes to data collection.
- Quality Improvement – For 11 improvements that directly affected patient care: reducing mammography wait times; establishing outpatient standards for pain management; assessing and improving mammography screening rates; establishing specific breast and prostate cancer programs; developing “Nurse Navigator” staff positions for breast and prostate cancer patients; establishing breast and prostate cancer patient case conferences; monitoring physician compliance of cancer staging; and creating a translation program for non-English-speaking patients.
The COC’s approval followed an all-day survey of the Institute earlier this year, which included meeting with doctors, administrators and others associated with the Institute.
The Commission states, “Approval by the COC is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the best in diagnosis and treatment of cancer and to undergo a rigorous evaluation process and performance review.”
David Bradley, CEO of Marin Community Health, said, “We know that the Marin Cancer Institute is one of the finest programs of its kind, where the very latest in diagnostic tools and treatment options are combined with a caring, personal approach. The COC's approval is an unbiased, third party confirmation of this quality – a mark of excellence. It also underscores the professionalism and dedication of all the physicians, staff and volunteers who care for our cancer patients.”
The Commission on Cancer is composed of Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and other members representing 36 national cancer-related organizations. The organization’s Approvals Program sets standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to make sure they conform to those standards.
The Marin Cancer Institute is a leader in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, supportive care and follow-up of all forms of cancer. Complementary therapies are also offered. Two of the Institute’s signature programs are its Breast Health Program and Prostate Cancer Program. Patients come from throughout the Bay Area and the country.
Aug. 2, 2005