By By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
July 19, 2001
Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center officials announced Wednesday that their cancer care program has been approved by the American College of Surgeons.
The official notification was received June 8.
Dr. John Clay, medical oncologist and chairman of the Cancer Care Committee, remembers it well because it was Relay for Life day in Lauderdale County.
Part of the cancer program at Jeff Anderson involves meetings every other Wednesday of a multi-disciplinary group of surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists and diagnostic radiologists who review cases and recommend treatment.
The American College of Surgeons was established in 1932. The approvals program sets standards for cancer programs and reviews those programs to make sure they conform. To maintain approval, facilities must have an on-site review every three years.
To maintain approval, cancer care programs must provide:
Quality care close to home;
Comprehensive care offering state-of-the art services and equipment;
A multi-specialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options for patients;
Information about clinical trials, education and support;
Lifelong patient follow-up through a cancer registry that collects data on types and stages of cancers, as well as treatment results; and
Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.