2. Commission on Cancer Mission
The 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.

3. Cancer Program Categories Redefined
Table of criteria by category included in Appendix A:
Category definition
Specifies eligibility requirements
Defines criteria for standards

4. Eligibility Requirements Created
Required of all programs annually
Displayed in CoC Hospital Locator
Describes structure of program
Diagnostic and treatment services
Psychosocial and other support services

5. Chapter 1- Program Management
S1.1 Physician Credentials
Physicians who provide cancer care to patients are board certified or in the process of becoming board certified
S1.2 Cancer Committee Membership
The cancer committee is multidisciplinary with physicians and non-physicians representing the full scope of care
S1.3 Cancer Committee Attendance*
Each required physician and non-physician member attends at least 50% of the cancer committee meetings held annually
* Eligible for Commendation

6. Chapter 1- Program Management
S1.4 Cancer Committee Meetings
The cancer committee meets each quarter, for a minimum of 4 times each year
S1.5 Cancer Program Goals
At least 1 clinical goal and 1 programmatic goal are established each year, goals are monitored, evaluated, and documented in cancer committee minutes at least twice annually
S1.6 Cancer Registry Quality Control Plan
The cancer committee establishes and implements a quality control plan to monitor and evaluate multiple areas of cancer registry activity

7. Chapter 1- Program Management
S1.7 Monitoring Conference Activity
The cancer committee monitors the cancer conference activity through the work of the cancer conference coordinator
S1.8 Monitoring Community Outreach
Based on needs of the community, the prevention and early-detection/screening programs offered each year are monitored to ensure that appropriate services are provided. The coordinator leads activity, reports findings and annual summary to the cancer committee
S1.9 Clinical Trial Accrual*
Based on category, the required percentage of patients is accrued to cancer-related clinical trials each year
* Eligible for Commendation

8. Chapter 1- Program Management
S1.10 Clinical Educational Activity
Each year the cancer committee offers at least 1 cancer-related educational activity focused on stage and treatment planning to physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals
S1.11 Cancer Registrar Education*
All members of the cancer registry staff participate in a cancer-related educational activity at the local, state, regional, or national level
*Eligible for Commendation
S1.12 Public Reporting of Outcomes* (optional)
Each year the cancer committee develops and disseminates a report of patient or program outcomes to the public
* Eligible for Commendation Only

9. Chapter 2 - Clinical Services
S2.1 College of American Pathologists Protocols*
90% of eligible pathology reports that include a cancer diagnosis will contain the required data elements outlined by CAP
* Eligible for Commendation
S2.2 Nursing Care*
Oncology nursing care is provided by nurses with specialized knowledge and skills. Competency is evaluated annually

10. Chapter 2 - Clinical Services
S2.3 Risk Assessment and Genetic Counseling
The program provides cancer risk assessment and genetic counseling to patients on-site or by referral by a qualified genetics professional
S2.4 Palliative Care Services
Palliative care services are available to patients either on-site or by referral

11. Chapter 3 Continuum of Care Services
S3.1 Patient Navigation Process
A patient navigation process, driven by a community needs assessment, is established to address health care disparities and barriers to care for patients
S3.2 Psychosocial Distress Screening
The cancer committee develops and implements a process to integrate and monitor on-site psychosocial distress screening and referral for the provision of psychosocial care

12. Chapter 3 Continuum of Care Services
S3.3 Survivorship Care Plan
A survivorship care plan is prepared by the principal provider(s) who coordinated the oncology treatment for the patient with input from the patient’s other care providers
The survivorship care plan is given to the patient upon completion of treatment

13. Chapter 4 - Patient Outcomes
S4.1 Prevention Programs
Annually the cancer committee identifies the cancer prevention needs of the community and provides at least 1 cancer prevention program that is focused on decreasing the number of patients with a specific type of cancer
S4.2 Screening Programs
Annually, the cancer committee provides at least 1 cancer screening program that is focused on an identified community need to decrease the number of patients with late stage disease

14. Chapter 4 - Patient Outcomes
S4.3 Cancer Liaison Physician Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of the CLP is to evaluate and improve the quality of care by monitoring, interpreting, and reporting (four times per year) the program’s performance using NCDB data
S4.4 Accountability Measures
The cancer committee reviews the quality of patient care using CoC quality reporting tools, addressing performance rates that fall below levels established by the CoC

15. Chapter 4 - Patient Outcomes
S4.5 Quality Improvement Measures
The cancer committee reviews the quality of patient care using CoC quality reporting tools, addressing performance rates that fall below levels established by the CoC
S4.6 Assessment of Evaluation and Treatment Planning
Ensure evaluation and treatment conforms to evidence-based national guidelines using AJCC stage or other appropriate staging and appropriate prognostic indicators

16. Chapter 4 - Patient Outcomes
S4.7 Studies of Quality
Two studies focus on areas with problematic quality-related issues relevant to the program and local cancer patient population
S4.8 Quality Improvements
Two improvements implemented annually; 1 focused on correction or improvement in performance that is based on the findings from a study of quality

17. Chapter 5 - Data Quality S5.1 Cancer Registrar Credentials
Beginning January 1, 2012, all cancer registry staff who perform case abstracting at a CoC-accredited program must hold a current CTR credential or are abstracting under the supervision of a CTR
A non-credentialed abstractor currently working must pass the CTR examination by January 2015
S5.2 Abstracting Timeliness*
90% of cases are abstracted within 6 months of the date of first contact
* Eligible for Commendation

18. Chapter 5 - Data Quality S5.3 Follow-Up of All Patients
For all eligible analytic cases, an 80% follow-up rate is maintained from the reference date
S5.4 Follow-Up of Recent Patients
A 90% follow-up rate is maintained for all eligible analytic cases diagnosed within the last 5 years or from the reference date, whichever is shorter

19. Chapter 5 - Data Quality S5.5 Data Submission S5.6 Accuracy of Data*
Complete data for all requested analytic cases are submitted to the National Cancer Data Base in accordance with the annual Call for Data
S5.6 Accuracy of Data*
The cases diagnosed on January 1, 2003 or later satisfy the established quality criteria by the deadline date specified in each Call for Data
* Eligible for Commendation
S5.7 Commission on Cancer Special Studies
The program participates in special studies as selected by the Commission on Cancer

20. Commendation Summary Commendation applies to the following standards
1.3 Cancer committee attendance
1.9 Clinical trial accrual
1.11 Cancer registrar education
1.12 Public reporting of outcomes
2.1 Synoptic reporting of CAP required elements
2.2 ONS credentialed nurses
5.2 Abstracting timeliness
5.6 Submission of accurate data
All commendations are required (without a single deficiency) for consideration of the Outstanding Achievement Award

21. Resources Education and Support
Webinar Series – Part 1: Supporting Cancer Program Operations
Webinar Series – Part 2: Supporting Patient Centered Standards
Video Vignettes – Coming in 2012 (3 minute) video presentations on each standard
Survey Savvy workshop – March 8-9, 2012 Chicago, IL

22. Resources Education and Support
CAnswer Forum – On-line interactive forum provides answers to questions about the standards and assists with standards interpretation
Best Practices Repository – Provides tools and resources developed to help programs implement and meet the new standards

23. These standards were developed with the solitary goal of ensuring that patients with cancer will receive quality care close to home

24. Thank You!
CoC Program Area Contact Information