American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer

In September 2009, the Augusta Health Cancer Center program was surveyed by a physician representative of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.  Based on the outstanding cancer center program at Augusta Health, the Program received full Cancer Accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, a status it has maintained since 1994. The 2009 accreditation decision recognized the Augusta Health Cancer Center program in a new category, The Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program, based on the growth in volumes that have taken place in the last three years.

This award provides national recognition of the quality and comprehensive provision of services at the Augusta Health Cancer Center. We are proud of our cancer center programs and our dedicated physicians and employees who have helped Augusta Health achieve not only full accreditation, but also special recognition with commendation for all six standards where commendation is possible.

The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer uses
the following elements as the key to success for accreditation:

1. The clinical services provide state-of-the-art pretreatment evaluation, staging, treatment and clinical follow-up for cancer patients seen at the facility for primary, secondary, tertiary, or quarternary care.
2. The cancer committee leads the program through setting goals, monitoring activity, evaluating patient outcomes, and improving care.
3. The cancer conferences provide a forum for patient consultation and contribute to physician education.
4. The quality improvement program is the mechanism for evaluating and improving patient outcomes.
5. The cancer registry and database is the basis for monitoring the quality of care.