Cancer program receives 4th consecutive three-year accreditation

Western Baptist Hospital’s cancer program recently received its fourth consecutive three-year national accreditation with commendation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

Services to diagnose, treat, rehabilitate and support cancer patients and their families were included in the accreditation.

The cancer program’s history of outstanding achievement includes 22 years of Tumor Conferences, weekly meetings between physicians and other healthcare team members from various backgrounds to discuss complex cancer cases with the goal of healing.

Oncologist James Gould, M.D., Cancer Committee chairman for the past decade, said it is an honor for Western Baptist to receive a perfect score once again.“Over the last decade, I have seen each of the facets of the program evolve:  Growth of the Tumor Registry staff, the addition of diagnostic modalities in radiology, implementation of standardized protocols for pathology, several upgrades in radiation therapy, and installation of the Da Vinci Robotic Surgery technology,” Dr. Gould said. “As I see patients on a daily basis, I am able to compare our program with those within 200 miles of Paducah. The patients and families in western Kentucky are fortunate to have such a dedicated facility serving so well the needs of our community.”

For those receiving care, an accredited program assures access to:

• Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment
• A multispecialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options
• Access to cancer-related information, education and support
• A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up
• Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care
• Quality care close to home

Accreditation by the Committee on Cancer is awarded only to facilities that voluntarily commit to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. To maintain accreditation, facilities must undergo an on-site review every three years.