Botsford Cancer Center earns a remarkable accreditation level the first time out

It takes years for a new cancer center to have enough reportable data to apply for accreditation status. For Botsford Cancer Center in Farmington Hills, Mich., its more than six years of data collection---from its opening in 2009 to current---has netted a three-year accreditation with commendation from the Commission of Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons.

“We are so excited and honored. It took a lot of hard work to make this happen,” says Nicholle Mehr, director, Botsford Cancer Center. “We knew we had a remarkable cancer center, but now we have expert proof. Our accreditation with commendation rating is evidence that we offer high-quality, academic cancer care in our community setting.”

The CoC surveyor found Botsford Cancer Center to be compliant in every category and gave special commendations for these four areas:

1. Botsford accrued patients to cancer-related clinical research and entered a remarkable number of patients for a new small program.
2. Botsford’s cancer registry staff participates in ongoing cancer-related education to facilitate accurate data collection and to gain or maintain their credentials.
3. Botsford’s Lab Services follows College of American Pathologists protocols to report the required data elements in 90 percent of the eligible cancer pathology reports each year.
4. Botsford’s oncology nurses provide patients with specialized knowledge and skills. Cancer treatment is a dynamic patient care process characterized by the continuous introduction of new cancer treatments, treatment protocols and delivery methods. The evolving body of knowledge and inherent risks associated with cancer treatments require ongoing education and an evaluation process for oncology nurses.

The multidisciplinary CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care. The goal of these standards is to ensure that patients with cancer will receive the highest quality care close to home. Patients with cancer who seek care at a CoC-accredited cancer program receive many benefits, which are outlined here: http://goo.gl/sQ3Bex.

This accreditation is granted only to the facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the best in cancer diagnosis and treatment and are able to comply with established CoC standards. Botsford Cancer Center underwent a rigorous evaluation and review of its performance and compliance with the CoC standards. Botsford Cancer Center’s next accreditation survey will occur in 2017. For more information on Botsford Cancer Center’s accreditation, go to: http://goo.gl/hLwfzp.

Beaumont Health is a not-for-profit organization formed by Beaumont Health System, Botsford Health Care and Oakwood Healthcare to provide high-quality, efficient, accessible services in a caring environment for southeastern Michigan residents and beyond. As one of Beaumont Health’s eight hospitals, Botsford Hospital is a multi-specialty 330-bed hospital and verified trauma center located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The campus also houses an imaging center, a comprehensive care cancer center and an extensive medical education program---part of Michigan State University’s Statewide Campus System. Annually, Botsford cares for about 16,000 inpatients and more than 60,000 emergency and trauma patients with a team of approximately 2,500 employees, 300 volunteers and 600 physicians.

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