Wright-Patt Med Center Receives ACS Commission on Cancer Accreditation

  • Published
  • By Mike Frangipane
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Wright-Patterson Medical Center Cancer Care program has been granted accreditation with commendation by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer.

This is the highest designation given by the CoC and Wright-Patterson is one of only four Air Force Medical Treatment Facilities to receive accreditation. The other three facilities to receive the honor are Andrews AFB, Md.; Wilford Hall at Lackland AFB, Texas; and Keesler AFB, Miss. Commission approval is recognition of the superior ability of the Wright-Patterson Cancer Program to deliver a full-ranged, integrated and comprehensive approach to cancer care, said Dr. (Lt. Col.) E. Ronald Hale, Wright-Patterson's Chief of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Committee Chair.

A medical facility's cancer care program receives CoC approval only after an on-site visit by CoC personnel who measure the program on six levels: diagnostic -clinical laboratory, diagnostic imaging; treatment -medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical procedures; other clinical -American Joint Committee on Cancer staging, clinical research, patient guidelines, oncology nursing, pain management; rehabilitation; support -counseling, discharge planning, hospice care, nutritional support, pastoral care, patient and family support; and prevention and early detection.

Accreditation with commendation indicates that CoC physician surveyors, specially trained to evaluate compliance, have certified that the Wright-Patterson cancer care program complies with all standards and has received a commendation rating for one or more of these standards. Wright-Patterson actually received commendation in four areas. Commenting on what accreditation means for patients, Dr. Hale said, "When you come here for your cancer care there are certain things that you are going to get here that you may not get even at the largest referral centers. We frequently hear from patients who come back (from referral centers) that the care that they receive here at Wright-Patterson is personalized and it is thoughtful. ... The staff pays attention to them and cares for them as a whole person."