UPMC CancerCenter: Leading the Way in Radiation Oncology

So it was with great pride that we learned this month that the AmericanCollege of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) had given our centers accreditation, a move that makes the UPMC CancerCenter the largest accredited radiation oncology network in the United States, and the only one with this stamp of approval in the region. This is an important distinction for us and especially our patients because the validation from ACRO means we are following the highest standards and providing the best care possible in the treatment of cancer and other benign diseases.

ACRO is the only national accreditation body dedicated to radiation oncology. As part of the accreditation process, ACRO sent teams of specialists to our facilities over the past year in a rigorous process to evaluate everything from staff certifications to patient charts. The standards that help us excel include:

• Peer Review. While sites with multiple physicians peer review each other during weekly chart rounds, we also connect sites with one physician, via web-based modules, to their colleagues on a weekly basis to discuss one another’s cases.  This ensures another pair of eyes and ideas, harnessing the power of our collective experience that is uniquely UPMC.
• Team Environment. All of our staff are involved in the treatment of patients, from the physician and nurses to radiation therapists and physicists.
• Staffing. We ensure proper staffing to provide high quality care and ensure all staff have the proper licenses and certifications. Education programs are also in place to constantly improve staff competence across a variety of domains.
• Patient Safety. All treatment equipment is thoroughly checked daily, monthly and annually to ensure optimal performance and compliance with regulatory requirements .  Safety procedures are continually evaluated to ensure that patients and staff are protected.
• Quality Management. Many quality assurance and quality control processes are in place to ensure that patients receive intended treatment. We are always looking for ways to improve our system through Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives and constantly strive to achieve high patient satisfaction, process optimization, and effective communication among the entire treatment team.  The UPMC CancerCenter focuses efforts on not maintaining, but excelling and leading others to do the same.