Special Study to Target Cancer Surveillance
Improving the current approach to surveillance after active treatment for cancer has been identified as a priority area by a number of organizations, including the Institute of Medicine, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and DEcIDE Cancer Consortium. The current guidelines do not account for individual risk and are based on limited evidence. To help address this quality gap, a special study will be launched in the coming months to investigate follow-up and recurrence after cancer treatment with the intent of tailoring follow-up based on individual risk. This study will involve analyzing data from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) to determine surveillance patterns for colorectal, breast, and lung cancers. It will be funded by three grants from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.
The goal of this study is to better understand how patients are currently being followed with surveillance testing and whether or not this is influencing outcomes. In addition, these studies will look at the accuracy of recurrence data within the NCDB and begin to develop strategies and create opportunities to improve the collection of this important outcome measure. Many tumor registrars are directly involved with helping to achieve these goals and we are looking forward to your participation.
The Commission on Cancer (CoC) has deemed this Special Study a priority area and an important initiative for improving patient-centered care. During this period, staff members with the Alliance/American College of Surgeons Clinical Research Program will be available as a resource for registrars and cancer liaison physicians (CLPs). Please watch your e-mail over the next month for an official announcement.
The mission of the CoC is to support quality improvement processes that lead to improved cancer care and patient outcomes. We therefore support research and development/monitoring of quality outcomes but are unsure of the meaning of this recommendation. Specifically, this recommendation and recommendation #4 must be linked and will evolve as programs implement navigation processes and monitor those processes through their quality improvement programs.
Recommendation #4: Support research in Patient Navigation.
See Recommendation #3
Recommendation #5: Explore reimbursement models for Patient Navigation.
The CoC supports the recommendation to explore reimbursement models for Patient Navigation as long as they are appropriate to the provider and the scope of work delivered.
Becoming a Cancer Liaison Physician Orientation Video
The CoC's Cancer Liaison Program orientation video for CLPs, is a requirement for new and reappointed CLPs. This video features an overview of the CLP Information Board on the CoC website. The information board serves as the primary source for information to help CLPs perform their role at their facility and ultimately improve the quality of care provided to their patients. Visit the CLP Information Board to download the video.
Selected Readings in Oncology for General Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Division of Education recently published two issues of Selected Readings in General Surgery (SRGS®) that summarize the best current general oncology literature. Part I (Volume 40, No. 1) reviews the molecular and genetic bases of cancer, cancer prevention and detection, imaging, cutaneous oncology, and sarcoma. Part II (Volume 40, No. 2) examines head and neck and thoracic oncology, gynecologic conditions and malignancies, genitourinary cancers, and managing radiation and chemotherapy complications. Learn more about SRGS and how you can order these issues (click on “Back Issues”).
Educational Programs and Resources
Save-the-Date: Accreditation 101: Learning the Basics of CoC Accreditation Workshop
Friday, September 12, 2014
San Antonio, TX
To meet numerous requests made after the first program in February 2014 sold out, the CoC will repeat Accreditation 101 on September 12 in San Antonio. Plan now to attend the only program developed by the professionals involved in CoC standards development and the survey process.
An e-mail will announce the opening of registration for this program in the near future.
Early registration (on or before August 11): $395
Registration after August 11: $450
For further information, contact Andréa Scrementi firstname.lastname@example.org.
For exhibit opportunities, contact Eunice Oh at email@example.com.
New Webinar: Navigating CP3R Version 3
American College of Surgeons (ACS) staff member, Erica McNamara, MPH, MM, presents a 15-minute pre-recorded webinar, Navigating CP3R Version 3 on the ACS Cancer Programs Online Education Portal. This presentation describes strategies for documenting and discussing activity, as well as creating an educational and evaluative survey environment. The following areas are also covered:
- Basic navigation techniques for the new Cancer Program Practice Profile
- Reports Version 3 (CP3R) application
- Comparisons between the previous version of CP3R with the new version to allow users to understand what changes have been made to the CP3R application
This webinar is complimentary to CoC-accredited cancer program staff using their CoC Datalinks user ID and is $50 for all other participants. For more information and to register, click on this link.
Make sure to bookmark the ACS Cancer Programs Online Education Portal, where you will find all CoC educational webinars.
Register Today for the RQRS and CoC Workshops - June 18-20, 2014
Two Programs—One Location
Get the information you need to meet the CoC standards and learn how you can achieve commendation for RQRS participation.
June 18, 2014
11 am–4 pm
“Strengthening Your Cancer Program…Utilizing the Rapid Quality Reporting System to Comply with the New Commendation Standard (5.2)”
Ensure your program’s compliance with the new commendation standard that requires programs, from initial enrollment and throughout the three-year accreditation period, to participate in RQRS. This includes the submission of eligible cases for all valid performance measures, and adherence to RQRS terms and conditions. Whether you are new to using RQRS or an experienced user, this optional half-day program will help you integrate RQRS into your program making it a valuable addition to your quality improvement toolbox. ($300 after May 15) Lunch will be served at 11 am, with an Intro to RQRS from 11:15 – 11:45 am for those of you completely new to RQRS in need of a bit of basic training.
June 19–20, 2014
CoC Workshop “Strengthening Your Cancer Program…Enriching the Coordinators’ Role”
Plan now to join more than 300 of your peers and colleagues at the newly designed CoC Workshop, “Strengthening Your Cancer Program…Enriching the Coordinators’ Role.” This new education program, formerly known as Survey Savvy, provides a deep-dive into the important role that the various coordinators serve in the delivery of quality care for cancer patients. Hear experienced coordinators share their experiences and leave this program with the tools and resources you need to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your cancer committee. ($750 after May 15)
Collaborative Stage Version 02.05 New Education Videos
The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) recently released 13 new Collaborative Stage (CS) education videos in tandem with v02.05.
These CS Moments videos can be viewed directly on the CS Education Page or on the AJCC YouTube channel.
Cancer registrars are encouraged to view these latest educational resources and provide feedback, especially regarding topics for future coverage. Send feedback to CSv2@facs.org.
NAPBC Accreditation Criteria for Women’s Choice Award for Breast Centers
The Women’s Choice Award program has announced its 2014 list of Women’s Choice Award for America’s Best Breast Centers. The NAPBC notes proudly that one of the primary award criteria is NAPBC accreditation. In addition to being NAPBC-accredited, the breast center must carry the seal of the American College of Radiologists as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE), and score well on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services patient satisfaction measures, or their equivalent.
NAPBC Responds to Canadian Study
Earlier this year, a number of media outlets, including the New York Times, reported on a paper that appeared in the British Journal of Medicine (February 19) that referenced the findings of a Canadian study that contends that annual mammography in women ages 40 to 59 does not reduce death from breast cancer. The CoC and the NAPBC, both programs of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), issued the following statement in response.
Vast Study Casts Doubt on Value of Mammograms by Gina Kolata (Feb. 11, 2014):
As leaders of two nationally renowned cancer care organizations, we think it’s important to emphasize that our groups will continue to endorse routine screening mammography for U.S. women. We are deeply concerned about findings published from the recent Canadian National Breast Screening Study (British Medical Journal) that suggest no benefit to women who undergo routine screening mammography. Both of our organizations feel the conclusions in this study were based on flaws in the scientific design and that study results are in complete contradiction to several well-documented studies showing the benefit of screening mammography. Moreover, as practicing physicians, we continue to treat patients whose lives have been saved because they had mammograms.
In view of broad-based input from multiple medical disciplines that we collaborate with on a continual basis, our organizations continue to endorse routine screening mammography with the goal of decreasing mortality due to breast cancer in U.S. women.
News from the Oncology Community
NCRA Offers Special Subscription to its Center for Cancer Registry Education
The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) is marking its 40th anniversary in 2014 by offering a special $100 subscription to its Center for Cancer Registry Education (CCRE). The CCRE is an online Learning Management System with more than 40 educational products designed specifically for cancer registrars. The products support individuals who are new to the cancer registry field, as well as seasoned professionals seeking continuing education to expand their knowledge. The subscription will allow NCRA members to access a variety of training products and earn up to 40 continuing education credits for $100. The many available learning modules include Confidentiality in the Registry; Coding Instructions for the Grade Data Item; Strategic Abstracting of the Bladder, Hematopoietics, and Non-Malignant Brain and Central Nervous System; and Treatment Modalities for Lung and Prostate/Bladder. All the Journal of Registry Managementquizzes are available, and access to the course on the immune system is provided. The subscription needs to be purchased by June 30, 2014, but members have access to the subscription products through December 31, 2014. To learn more, go to www.CancerRegistryEducation.org/NCRA-subscriptions.
The LIVESTRONG Foundation strives to improve the lives of people affected by cancer now. Created in 1997, the Foundation is known for providing free cancer support services and advocating for policies that improve access to care and quality of life. Known for its powerful brand – LIVESTRONG – the Foundation has become a symbol of hope and inspiration around the world. Since its inception, the Foundation has served 2.5 million people affected by cancer and raised more than $500 million to support survivors. One of America's top not-for-profit organizations, the Foundation has been recognized by industry leaders including Charity Navigator, the National Health Council, and the Better Business Bureau for its excellent governance, high standards, and transparency. For more information, visit LIVESTRONG.org.
Staff at the LIVESTRONG Foundation talk to cancer survivors about their needs, and develop programs and form partnerships to help meet those needs. Fourteen million Americans have been diagnosed with cancer, and there are thousands more diagnosed every day making the work of the foundation more critical than ever.
LIVESTRONG.org provides hundreds of topics and stories that health care professionals can use with their patients or that patients can review on their own. Additionally, adult cancer survivors have access to the LIVESTRONG Care Plan powered by Penn Medicine’s OncoLink, a one-of-a kind tool, based on answers to a brief questionnaire that provides an individualized survivorship care plan to be shared by the patient and the health care team. This year, we are working with the CoC and other key partners on a research study to test the feasibility of synchronizing the LIVESTRONG Care Plan with the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB).
Through LIVESTRONG.org or by contacting 855-220-7777, the foundation provides free patient navigation services to help people affected by cancer cope with the financial, practical, and emotional challenges that accompany the disease. Resources are offered to patients throughout the care, including the LIVESTRONG Care plan.
In communities throughout the country, LIVESTRONG has invested more than $1.4 million to provide proven cancer support programs, including the LIVESTRONG, at the YMCA program. This cancer rehabilitation program helps individuals diagnosed with cancer reduce the aftereffects of cancer treatment. Learn more at LIVESTRONG.org/ymca, and check back often as we are continually adding new programs.
LIVESTRONG helps cancer programs implement the Continuum of Care Services with resources available online, on the phone, and in your community.