Saint Francis Cancer Institute Receives Three-year Accreditation with Commendation

Saint Francis Medical Center's Cancer Institute recently received three-year reaccreditation with three commendations from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

Saint Francis received a three-year reaccreditation following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor. During the evaluation process Saint Francis demonstrated commendation-level compliance with standards representing the full scope of the cancer program, including cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach and quality improvement. In addition, Saint Francis received a compliance rating for all other standards.

"Receiving this reaccreditation reinforces Saint Francis' commitment to providing its patients with great care. For the Saint Francis Cancer Institute to receive three commendations from the American College of Surgeons speaks volumes about the quality of care being second to none," says Dennis Van Asche, administrative director of Saint Francis' Cancer Services. "This reaccreditation, along with Saint Francis' exclusive local affiliation with M. D. Anderson Physicians Network®, means that the exceptional cancer care Saint Francis offers patients is unlike any other in the region."

The Accreditation Program, a component of the Commission on Cancer, sets quality-of-care standards for cancer programs, reviews the programs and ensures conformity to those standards. Accreditation by the commission is given only to those facilities that are committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. To maintain accreditation, facilities with accredited cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years.

Through our exclusive local affiliation with M. D. Anderson Physicians Network®, Saint Francis Medical Center offers comprehensive cancer services to patients in the region. Our 23 physicians credentialed by Physicians Network have access to evidence-based treatment protocols and guidelines developed by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center -- the nation's leader in cancer care. State-of-the-art diagnostics, such as P.E.T./CT and MRI; advanced treatment options, including frameless stereotactic radiosurgery, intensity modulated radiation therapy and electronic brachytherapy; and advanced research with the St. Louis-Cape Girardeau Community Clinical Oncology Program and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group are available through the Cancer Institute. Saint Francis is constructing a combined Heart Hospital and Cancer Institute, where patients will have access to advanced treatments and technology -- under one convenient roof. To learn more about this exciting new project and to follow its progress, visit www.MoreForYou.md. Saint Francis is proud to be ranked on Modern Healthcare magazine's prestigious Best Places to Work in Healthcare list for 2009 -- only five other companies have ranked in the top 20 two years in a row. Saint Francis is also ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation for outstanding patient experience by HealthGrades® in 2009/2010.