Palos earns National Accreditation from Commission on Cancer

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) has granted Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation to the cancer program at Palos Community Hospital. To earn voluntary CoC accreditation, a cancer program must meet or exceed 34 CoC quality care standards, be evaluated every three years through a survey process and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care. Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation is only awarded to a facility that exceeds standards requirements at the time of its triennial survey.

“Accreditation from the Commission on Cancer further exemplifies the quality cancer care offered at Palos,” says Terrence Moisan, M.D., interim CEO of Palos Community Hospital. “From detection and treatment to cancer rehabilitation, Palos offers an array of services to meet the health care needs of our community.”

Accreditation by the CoC for cancer programs ensures patients at Palos receive:

· Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment

· A multidisciplinary team approach for the best available treatment options

· Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options

· Access to prevention and early detection programs, education and support services

· A cancer registry that offers lifelong patient follow-up

· Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care

· Quality care close to home

The American Cancer Society estimates more than 1.6 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2014. There are currently more than 1,500 CoC-accredited cancer programs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, representing 30 percent of all hospitals. CoC-accredited facilities diagnose and/or treat more than 70 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer patients.

About the Commission on Cancer

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving patient outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality care. Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons. For more information, visit www.facs.org/cancer

About Palos Community Hospital

Palos Community Hospital’s ongoing mission is to strive to provide quality health care. By combining the medical expertise of highly skilled physicians and nurses with state-of-the-art technology and a comprehensive approach to treatment, Palos is committed to delivering compassionate health care in a healing environment.

Palos Community Hospital is a 428-bed not-for-profit health care facility located in Palos Heights, Ill. As one of the area’s leading hospitals, we have been serving the communities of the Southwest suburbs for more than 40 years. Our more than 500 affiliate physicians represent more than 40 specialties and subspecialties.