| MVH CANCER PROGRAM
APPROVED WITH COMMENDATION BY ACOS COMMISSION ON CANCER
The Commission on Cancer of the American College of
Surgeons has again granted full approval with commendation
to Monongahela Valley Hospital and its Regional Cancer
Center as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program.
This
designation is a “significant achievement” and
symbolizes the “ongoing staff dedication to providing
high quality care to cancer patients,” according
to Andrew J. Zahalsky, M.D., chairman of the oncology
committee at MVH.
Dr. Zahalsky emphasized that only one
in four hospitals surveyed by ACOS receives full three-year
accreditation.
MVH earned a similar designation in 2003.
"
We are very proud of the cancer care programs here and
equally proud of the staff, Drs. Andrew Zahalsky, Dawson
Lim and Nabil Zaglama, the nurses and others who provide
that care," said Patrick Alberts, senior vice president
and chief operating officer of Monongahela Valley Hospital. "Our
commitment to quality services and care, in large part,
is a prime reason that our hospital and our Regional
Cancer Center continually received accreditation with
commendation from the Commission on Cancer of the American
College of Surgeons and similar recognition."
Ms.
Mary Lou Murt, RN, coordinates the Commission on Cancer
certification process of the Oncology Program.
Murt is assistant vice president, nursing at Monongahela
Valley Hospital and added that, "It is a reflection
on our health care system and on the doctors, nurses
and support staff committed to cancer care for the people
of our community. It emphasizes that we are continuing
to meet the Commission’s standards for providing
quality cancer care."
Monongahela Valley Hospital
was elevated to the Community Hospital Comprehensive
Cancer Program level
of approval
in 1996. The MVH oncology program includes the Sweeney-Melenyzer
Regional Cancer for radiation therapy and chemotherapy
and an inpatient unit for the treatment of cancer.
MVH
is among a select group of hospitals in western Pennsylvania
offering Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT),
a highly-advanced cancer treatment method. IMRT treatment
delivers high doses of radiation directly to cancer cells
while reducing the effects to surrounding tissue.
The
ACOS Approvals Program sets standards for cancer programs
and reviews the programs to make sure they conform
to those standards. Recognizing that cancer is a complex
of diseases, the program encourages consultation among
surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists,
diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, and other cancer
specialists. This multidisciplinary cooperation results
in improved patient care.
In order to receive accreditation
for the cancer program, MVH demonstrated that patients
from the mid-Monongahela
Valley have access to:
- Quality care close to home.
- Comprehensive care offering
a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.
- A
multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best
treatment options available to cancer patients.
- Information
about ongoing cancer clinical trials, new treatment
options, education and support.
- Lifelong patient follow-up
through a cancer registry that collects data on type
and stage of cancer and
treatment results.
- Ongoing monitoring and improvement
of care.
Ms. Murt noted that approval by the Commission
on Cancer is given only to those facilities that have “voluntarily
committed to provide the best in diagnosis and treatment
of cancer and to undergo a rigorous evaluation process
and a review of its performance.” In order to
maintain approval, facilities with approved cancer
programs must
undergo an on-site review every three years.
Cancer
care doesn't start or end with a patient's treatment.
MVH is committed to the health of the residents of
the mid-Monongahela Valley area by offering educational
programs,
screenings and support groups. The hospital remains
dedicated to continuing to offer compassionate care,
quality oncology
services and programs and advanced technology.
The
Commission on Cancer is composed of Fellows of the
American College of Surgeons as well as other
members representing 36 national cancer-related
organizations.
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