The Commission on Cancer (CoC) is a program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) that recognizes cancer care programs for their commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality, and multidisciplinary patient-centered care. CoC-accredited cancer programs undergo a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they meet or exceed established standards for cancer care delivery.
A cancer care program refers to a healthcare facility, typically a hospital or medical center, that provides diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care services to individuals affected by cancer. These programs may include a range of medical specialists, such as oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and supportive care providers, working collaboratively to deliver comprehensive care to cancer patients.
Multidisciplinary care involves a team-based approach to cancer treatment, where healthcare professionals from various specialties collaborate to develop individualized treatment plans for patients. This approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive care that addresses the diverse aspects of their diagnosis, treatment, and supportive needs.
Accreditation is a process by which a healthcare organization or program undergoes an evaluation to determine if it meets predetermined standards of quality and safety set forth by accrediting bodies, such as the Commission on Cancer (CoC). Accreditation signifies that a cancer care program has demonstrated its commitment to providing high-quality care and adhering to established guidelines and best practices in cancer treatment.
Quality improvement refers to ongoing efforts within a cancer care program to enhance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of patient care. This may involve monitoring clinical outcomes, implementing evidence-based practices, identifying areas for improvement, and making systematic changes to optimize the delivery of cancer care services.
Patient-centered care emphasizes the importance of involving patients in decision-making processes, respecting their preferences, values, and individual needs, and providing care that is tailored to meet their unique circumstances. In the context of cancer care, patient-centered approaches prioritize the holistic well-being of patients and their families, addressing not only medical needs but also psychosocial, emotional, and supportive care needs throughout the cancer journey.
Clinical pathways, also known as care pathways or clinical algorithms, are structured multidisciplinary plans of care that outline the recommended steps for diagnosing, treating, and managing specific medical conditions, such as cancer. These pathways are based on evidence-based guidelines and best practices and serve as a roadmap for healthcare providers to ensure consistent and standardized care delivery while promoting efficiency and quality in patient outcomes.
Quality metrics are measurable parameters or indicators used to assess various aspects of healthcare quality, such as patient outcomes, safety, effectiveness, and patient experience. In the context of cancer care, quality metrics may include measures related to treatment outcomes, adherence to clinical guidelines, patient satisfaction, and survivorship care. Monitoring and analyzing quality metrics help cancer care programs identify areas for improvement and track their progress in delivering high-quality care to patients.
Survivorship care focuses on addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by individuals who have completed cancer treatment and are transitioning to life beyond cancer. Survivorship care plans may include strategies for monitoring for cancer recurrence, managing long-term side effects of treatment, promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors, addressing psychosocial and emotional concerns, and facilitating access to support services and resources to promote overall well-being and quality of life among cancer survivors.