Member News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 13, 2005
Silver Cross Cancer Program Approved by the American College of Surgeons
The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons (ACS)
has granted approval for the next three years to the cancer program at
Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet. Silver Cross received special
commendation in four areas: cancer staging, prevention and early
detection, cancer registry staff education and cancer-related quality
improvements.
Oncology programs earning recognition from the Commission on Cancer
of the American College of Surgeons offer excellent cancer care. “Only
one in four hospitals that treat cancer receive this special approval,”
says Paul Pawlak, President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital. “It
recognizes the high quality of comprehensive cancer care available at
Silver Cross and offers a commitment that the residents in the
southwest suburbs will have access to all of the various medical
specialists on staff at Silver Cross who are involved in the diagnosis
and treatment of cancer.”
Receiving care at a Commission on Cancer approved cancer program,
such as Silver Cross Hospital’s cancer program, ensures that a patient
will have access to
- Quality care close to home.
- Comprehensive care offering a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.
- A multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options available to cancer patients.
- 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.
- Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options.
Approval by the Commission on Cancer is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the best in diagnosis and treatment of cancers. To meet the standards necessary for Commission approval, each cancer program, and the organization that controls it, must undergo a rigorous evaluation process and a review of its performance. In order to maintain approval, facilities with approved cancer programs must under an on-site review every three years.
The Approved Hospital Cancer Program encourages hospitals, treatment centers, and other facilities to improve their quality of patient care through various cancer-related programs. These programs are concerned with prevention, early diagnosis, pretreatment evaluation, staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, surveillance for recurrent disease and multiple primary tumors, psychosocial support, and care at the end of life. This availability of a full range of medical services involved in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer at approved cancer programs has resulted in approximately 80 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer patients being treated in Commission on Cancer approved cancer programs.
For a physician on staff at Silver Cross who specializes in cancer care, call (800) 734-MYDR (6937). Silver Cross Hospital has been creating world-class health care experiences for the southwest suburban communities for over a century. Silver Cross has been recognized as one of our nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Solucient and as one of America’s Most Friendliest Hospitals by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. Exceptional care. It’s not unusual. It’s simply the way you should be treated. For more information about Silver Cross Hospital, visit www.silvercross.org or call (815) 740-1100.