New Cancer Program Guidelines Released by Association of Community Cancer Centers
ROCKVILLE, MD – March 6, 2009 - The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has revised and updated its Cancer Program Guidelines. The new publication features a section that outlines key elements needed to provide model state-of-the-art, comprehensive patient navigation services.
“Patient navigation in cancer care refers to individualized assistance offered to patients, families, and caregivers to help overcome healthcare system barriers and facilitate timely access to quality medical and psychosocial care from pre-diagnosis through all phases of the cancer experience,” said Alan S. Weinstein, MD, FACP, Chair of ACCC’s Guidelines Committee.
“Even if you are familiar with ACCC’s Guidelines, take time to browse through this new edition,” said Dr. Weinstein. “We’ve provided details of staffing, service components, and training needed for model patient navigation services within the cancer program.”
ACCC’s Cancer Program Guidelines are designed to assist cancer programs that want to develop and/or maintain a comprehensive interdisciplinary program that meets the needs of cancer patients and their families. ACCC’s Cancer Program Guidelines reflect the optimal components for a cancer program. Unlike other guidelines, ACCC’s Cancer Program Guidelines are not intended to act as an accrediting or credentialing mechanism, and are not a list of standards, such as those published by the American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer.
ACCC’s Cancer Program Guidelines are meant for the entire multidisciplinary cancer care team— medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists; oncology nurses; pharmacists; administrators; radiation therapists; oncology social workers; cancer registrars and data management personnel; and more.
“ACCC’s Cancer Program Guidelines are a hands-on, practical resource that provides guidance on what ACCC believes are the components of an optimal cancer program anywhere in the U.S.,” said Dr. Weinstein.
Publication of ACCC’s Guidelines was made possible under ACCC’s new pilot project entitled “Cancer Care Patient Navigation: A Call to Action,” funded by an educational grant from sanofi-aventis. The document is available online at ACCC’s website, www.accc-cancer.org.
Since 1974, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has served as the leading national multidisciplinary organization that sets the standard for quality care for patients with cancer. ACCC is dedicated to promoting professional learning opportunities and to providing a forum for members to network and enhance their skills in the business, clinical and management aspects of care for the cancer community. Nearly 17,000 cancer care professionals from approximately 900 hospitals and more than 1,200 private practices are affiliated with ACCC. Our unique membership includes all members of the cancer care team: medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, cancer program administrators and medical directors, pharmacists, oncology nurses, oncology social workers, and cancer program data managers. For more information, visit ACCC's website at www.accc-cancer.org. Follow us on Facebook and on ACCCBuzz, ACCC's online blog, www.acccbuzz.wordpress.com.
