MedStar Health First in Maryland to Achieve National Accreditation for Rectal Cancer

Accreditation standards in surgical care prove advantage with fewer colostomies and better outcomes.

Baltimore— MedStar Health has earned the unique distinction of having the only Maryland hospital to earn a three-year accreditation for its rectal cancer program by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) of the American College of Surgeons. The high achievement, earned at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, is demonstrated to result in fewer colostomies and improved outcomes for patients diagnosed with rectal cancer.

Over the last 20 years, the outcomes of rectal cancer have relied on specialization, training, and volume. In response to this variability in how rectal cancer patients are cared for, the NAPRC was developed to create standards, based on care models from around the world, that would ensure better outcomes for patients, to include a reduction in recurrence rates, better quality of life, improved function, and increased survival.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS), hospitals designated by the NAPRC demonstrate significantly better outcomes for patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery compared to non-accredited hospitals.

“As part of the accreditation process, MedStar Franklin Square has a dedicated multi-disciplinary rectal cancer team with clinical experts from surgery, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology and medical oncology,” said Mahsa Mohebtash, MD, medical director of MedStar Health Community Oncology. “We couldn’t be more proud of the achievement. We treat rectal cancer patients who can have no doubt they’re getting the highest level of care.”

NAPRC accreditation focuses on processes demonstrated to improve patient outcomes. This includes verifying rectal cancer patients receive timely care relevant to their stage of cancer, and elevating standards of care based on quality improvement data.

“Achieving this accreditation requires a genuine commitment to the promise of high standards, to meet the rigorous evaluation process,” said Program Director and colorectal surgeon, David Lisle, MD. “Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the country with a growing number of patients presenting before the age of 50. Improving the standard of safe quality care to manage this disease has to be a priority.”

"ACS Quality programs are grounded in more than a century of experience and participation is an important measure of a hospital’s surgical quality. As an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, MedStar Franklin Square has shown a commitment providing the best possible patient care, evaluating that care in a rigorous fashion, and dedicating themselves to continuous self-improvement," said ACS Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS.

“We are also proud to hold both Commission on Cancer Accreditation and Breast Center Accreditation, further demonstrating our unwavering focus on excellence in patient care,” Dr. Mohebtash said.

To learn more about rectal cancer click here: https://www.medstarhealth.org/services/rectal-cancer.

Click here to learn more about the NAPRC.