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National
Commission on Cancer Approves Marin Cancer Institute; Recognizes
Program With Nine out of Nine Possible Commendations
 The Commission on Cancer (CoC)
of the American College of Surgeons has awarded three-year
approval status and nine out of nine possible commendations to the
Marin Cancer Institute, the community cancer program operated by
Marin General Hospital since 1992.
A nationally recognized organization that surveys cancer programs,
the CoC calls approval a way to ensure that patients will receive
comprehensive care, a team approach to best-treatment options,
information about ongoing clinical trials, and most importantly
quality care close to home.
Only about 25 percent of the country’s 1,500 cancer programs
are presently approved by the CoC. Receiving nine out of nine
possible commendations makes the Institute eligible for a CoC
Outstanding Achievement Award, an honor bestowed on only 2 percent
of approved programs, said Dr. Lloyd Miyawaki, Medical Director of
the Marin Cancer Institute. Outstanding Achievement Awards will be
announced by the CoC next March.
“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 Linda Tavaszi,
Executive Director, Physician Services and the Marin Cancer &
Heart Institutes at Marin General Hospital. “All of these
factors contribute to positive clinical outcomes and to the
physical and emotional well-being of the patient and
family.”
The areas in which the CoC recognized the Marin Cancer Institute
with the nine commendations were:
- Cancer Committee Leadership.
- Cancer Data Management and Cancer Registry Operations
(two commendations).
- Clinical Management (two commendations).
- Research.
- Community Outreach.
- Professional Education and Staff Support.
- Quality Improvement.
“These commendations speak to the caliber of care we provide
and the environment in which we treat our patients,”
Miyawaki said. “We pride ourselves not only on our
university-level expertise, but on forming personal relationships
with our patients in a setting that is close to home and
convenient.”
The CoC‘s approval followed an all-day session at the
Institute May 15. Two physician surveyors of the CoC met with
about 40 Marin Cancer Institute team members, including
MCI’s Cancer Committee.
According to the Commission, “Approval by the CoC is given
only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to the
highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous
evaluation process and review of their performance.”
Chuck Prosper, CAO of Marin General Hospital, 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 a consortium of professional
organizations in the field of cancer dedicated to improving
survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through the
setting of standards, prevention, research, education and the
monitoring of comprehensive, quality care.
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 nation.
September 22, 2008 |
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