National group recognizes outstanding Backus cancer care
Technology and expert staff are two of the reasons Backus has been designated as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program. |
If you are a Backus cancer patient you are receiving some of the best cancer care available, without having to travel many miles to larger facilities.
That is the significance of the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer's recent affirmation of Backus Hospital's status as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program.
The hospital's Cancer Center received a rare perfect score following a comprehensive accreditation survey. This makes the hospital eligible for an Outstanding Achievement Award, which only a few hospitals nationwide receive.
"This is a testament to our highly trained staff and physicians, our technology, and our compassion," said Dinesh Kapur, MD, Medical Director of Cancer Services. "Our multidisciplinary team is second to none, whether that means offering the latest in clinical trials or consoling patients at frightening times in their lives."
Backus Hospital, said Certified Cancer Registrar Donna Goss, is the only hospital in Connecticut to have achieved this perfect score (referred to as an outstanding commendation) since it was initiated in 2004. Last year, only 32 hospitals out of 445 surveyed nationwide - 9% - received this coveted honor.
"This measurement by the commission translates into excellent care for the cancer patient," said John Panicek, Administrative Director of Cancer Services at Backus.
Ms. Goss, who compiled a comprehensive notebook of every cancer service at Backus, which she shared with the surveyor, said, "I am elated. This is a result of everyone working hard and working together. To me, the commendation is comparable to winning a million dollars."
The programs and personnel who have contributed to this excellence in cancer care include members of the medical staff, the Cancer Services Committee, oncology nurses, A-2, Radiation Therapy, Ambulatory Medical Care, Nutritionists, Rehabilitation Services, and many others.
The Commission on Cancer is dedicated to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality care.
Approval 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 approval, the facilities must undergo an on-site review every three years.
"While we had a perfect score," Mr. Panicek said, "now we have a self-imposed challenge to hold ourselves to this higher standard and to share our information on cancer services with others."