LANCASTER – The cancer program at Antelope Valley Hospital (AVH) has earned a three-year accreditation as a National Comprehensive Community Cancer Center from the Commission on Cancer (CoC), a multidisciplinary program of the American College of Surgeons.
AVH is the only hospital in the area to receive this accreditation.
To earn CoC accreditation, a cancer program must meet 34 specific quality care standards, be re-evaluated every three years, and maintain excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered cancer care.
The intensive evaluation process to attain accreditation included an on-site review by a physician surveyor who assessed AVH’s compliance with stringent standards pertaining to cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, community outreach and quality improvement.
AVH takes a multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer relying on the expertise and coordination of medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists and other cancer specialists. Their collaboration results in improved patient care and better outcomes.
“The Commission on Cancer accreditation for our program is a tribute to the dedication and skill of the physicians and staff at Antelope Valley Hospital,” said AVH Cancer Program Coordinator Patricia Karnstedt, RN, MSN, OCN. “This accreditation signifies that our patients are receiving the highest quality care and compassionate support for themselves and their families.”
Accreditation is granted only to cancer treatment facilities that deliver quality patient care through a variety of cancer-related programs focusing on prevention, screening, early diagnosis, cancer staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, lifelong follow-up for recurrent disease and end-of-life care.
CoC-accredited programs offer access to information on clinical trials and new treatments; genetic counseling; and such patient-centered services as psycho-social support, a patient navigator, and a survivorship care plan that documents the care each patient receives and seeks to improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.
Dr. Lily Lai, a surgical oncologist with City of Hope and chair of AVH’s cancer committee, commended the team for their efforts to attain this accreditation. “While cancer is something we all hope to never face, I am proud to be part of such a highly esteemed center and work with some of the industry’s top professionals, Lai said.
Co-chair Dr. Mukund Shah, an oncologist with the Antelope Valley Cancer Center, added, “The cancer care that patients receive here at AVH is comparable to some of the nation’s most prestigious organizations because of the dedication and expertise of the entire team.”
AVH offers the latest technology in diagnosing and treating cancer, including robotic surgery. AVH provides staff nurses who are certified by the Oncology Nursing Society in the administration of chemotherapy and specialized care for oncology patients.
Its partnerships with the leading medical groups in the Antelope Valley ensure that local residents have access to the best cancer care close to home.
Partners include the City of Hope, Antelope Valley Cancer Center, High Desert Medical Group, High Desert Regional Health Center and Kaiser Permanente.
To find out more about AVH’s cancer program, visit https://www.avhospital.org/Services/CancerCare.
[Information via news release from Antelope Valley Hospital.]
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Leslie says
Great job, except, people really need to research alternate cures, there are many ways to beat cancer, that are far less destructive and costly, it breaks my heart to see kids battling this disease, especially, when I 100% believe, most all cancer, can be cured, without any negative side effects!
Robert Schrader says
Congratulations to all the staff at AVH. Getting an accreditation like this is a big deal.