Fremont, CA, October 9, 2012- Washington Hospital is pleased to announce that it has received a three-year
Accreditation Award with Commendation from the American College of Surgeon’s
Commission on Cancer (CoC). The accreditation acknowledges Washington
Hospital as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program.
Each year, Washington Hospital sees more than 750 cancer patients. For
these patients as well as those currently receiving treatment, this accreditation
provides assurance that a high level of care is being delivered by some
of the best caregivers in the nation using the most advanced technology.
Washington Hospital’s Community Cancer Program previously received
an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer in 2009.
"This could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication
of many physicians and caregivers affiliated with this program and demonstrates
that the residents of the District have access to the most advanced and
comprehensive treatments available," said Nancy Farber, Chief Executive
Officer of Washington Hospital Healthcare System. "When dealing with
a diagnosis like cancer and the rigorous schedule that's often associated
with its treatment, I think it's comforting to those who live here
that they don't need to travel great distances to receive the best
care."
Washington Hospital's Community Cancer Program received the three-year
accreditation following an on site evaluation by a physician surveyor
during which the Hospital demonstrated commendation level compliance with
one or more standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program.
This includes cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical
services, research, community outreach and quality improvement.
"Everyone worked very hard for the three-year accreditation of the
Cancer Program and the Accreditation Award with Commendation reflects
the added efforts of all who are associated with the Hospital's cancer
programs," said Vandana Sharma, M.D., medical oncologist, and chair
of Washington Hospital's Cancer Committee. "The Accreditation
Award validates what we've known for quite some time, that Washington
Hospital’s cancer services are the best available anywhere in the
state. Patients getting treated locally can rest assured that the best
care is right here in Fremont." The accreditation program sets quality
of care standards for cancer programs and reviews programs to ensure they
conform to those standards. Accreditation 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 accreditation, facilities
with CoC-accredited cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every
three years.
The mission of the Community Cancer Program is to offer people with cancer
and their families the most effective diagnostic services, treatment,
information and support possible as they make the journey through cancer
treatment. Because high-quality care and excellent patient outcomes are
the top priority, cancer program staff monitors, measures and continuously
strives to improve services. At the same time, guided by the patient first
ethic, program staff focuses on providing comfort, privacy and treating
each individual with dignity.
Washington Hospital's Community Cancer Program includes screening and
early detection programs, surgical oncology, medical oncology, tumor board,
tumor registry, clinical research, oncology nursing, social services,
support services and the Washington Radiation Oncology Center. The core
functions of the Commission on Cancer (CoC) include setting standards
for quality, multidisciplinary cancer patient care; surveying facilities
to evaluate compliance with 36 CoC standards; collecting standardized
quality data from accredited facilities; and using the data to develop
effective educational interventions to improve cancer care outcomes at
the national, state and local levels.
About Washington Township Health Care District: Washington Township Health
Care District is governed by an elected board of directors. Unlike a municipal
or county hospital, Washington Hospital’s operating expenses, research,
community programs, and employee salaries are funded by revenues generated
through providing patient and other health care services. Washington Hospital
Healthcare System includes a 359-bed acute-care hospital; the Taylor McAdam
Bell Neuroscience Institute; The Gamma Knife® Center; Washington Radiation
Oncology Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient
Rehabilitation Center; Washington Outpatient Catheterization Laboratory;
Institute for Joint Restoration and Research; the Institute for Minimally
Invasive and Robotic Surgery; and Washington West, a complex which houses
Washington Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, Sandy Amos
R.N. Infusion Center, Washington Urgent Care and additional outpatient
hospital services and administrative facilities.