Oncology news you can use: Read on!

accconnect
A bi-monthly e-newsletter from the Association of Community Cancer Centers
January 13 | 2010

Join Us for Great Learning & Networking Opportunities at ACCC's 36th Annual National Meeting in Baltimore, MD

"Efficiency and Excellence in the New Economic Reality" is the theme of ACCC's 36th Annual National Meeting, March 17-20, 2010, in Baltimore, Md. The meeting will offer unique learning opportunities on new strategies to reach your financial goals, and will provide fresh and comprehensive ideas on how best to strengthen and improve your skills. Join us for insider insight with keynote speakers and political pundits Bill Press and Fred Barnes. No other single oncology meeting provides expert perspective and relevant tools to guide your multidisciplinary cancer care team. A great value for your program or practice! Look for your meeting brochure in the January/February Oncology Issues.

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ACCC to Co-Host Educational Briefing on Capitol Hill

On January 21, 2010, ACCC, along with other oncology provider and patient advocacy organizations, will be hosting an educational briefing on Capitol Hill on the impact oral chemotherapeutics are having on the treatment of cancer for both patients and providers. The briefing is from 12:00-1:00 p.m., in the Rayburn House Office Building, room B-369. The purpose of this briefing is to allow Members of Congress and their staff to better understand the benefits and challenges of oral chemotherapeutic agents faced by both cancer patients and providers. Please contact your elected officials and urge them to attend.

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Who Will Care for Tomorrow’s Cancer Patients? ACCC Looks for Answers

The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) will examine innovative solutions to the oncology workforce shortage. Many ACCC programs are already creating innovative, real-world solutions to recruit, retain, and engage their staff. Does your institution have an innovative solution—big or small—aimed at staff recruitment or retention of cancer care staff, including oncology nurses, oncologists, radiation therapists, and medical physicists? If so, ACCC wants to know. Read more.

Email apatton@accc-cancer.org with your success stories and innovative ideas.

Heard on ACCC's Listserve: Are Tumor Boards for Education or for Active Treatment Planning?

After decisions are made about treatment at a Tumor Board, where does that information go? Does it get sent to the Primary Care Physician, surgeon, and/or oncologist for follow up, or does it go into a file in the Tumor Registry? Are Tumor Boards more educational in scope, or for active treatment planning with the expectation that the recommendations are implemented?

Click here to read postings from ACCC's listserve on this topic.

New HCPCS Code For Taxotere® (docetaxel) Injection Concentrate (J9171)

In its annual update to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) for 2010, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has assigned a new HCPCS billing code and unit to Taxotere® (docetaxel) Injection Concentrate (J9171) for dates of service on or after January 1, 2010.

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NIH Conference: Enhancing Use and Quality of Colorectal Cancer Screening

The National Institutes of Health has announced its state-of-the-science conference on colorectal cancer screening Feb. 2-4, 2010, at the Natcher Conference Center, NIH, Bethesda, Md. The conference is designed to provide healthcare providers, patients, policymakers, and others with a comprehensive assessment of how colorectal cancer screening and surveillance are best implemented, monitored, and evaluated for average-risk populations in the U.S. This two-day program is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.consensus.nih.gov, email consensus@mail.nih.gov, or call 888.644.2667.

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