Cape Radiation Oncology Earns American College of Radiology Accreditation

Cape Radiation Oncology at Saint Francis Medical Center has been reaccredited to a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Radiation oncology (radiation therapy) is the careful use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist may use radiation to cure cancer or to relieve a cancer patient’s pain.

“This achievement recognizes our commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for oncology patients. The American College of Radiology offers the Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation (ROPA) which is an impartial peer review of facility personnel, equipment, treatment planning, treatment records, and patient safety policies. Patients who choose cancer care at an ACR ROPA accredited facility should have peace of mind knowing their safety is of the utmost importance to the hospital, physicians and staff providing their treatments. We are proud to receive this distinction representing the highest quality and safety,” says Lisa Newcomer, RRT, MBA, FACHE, Vice President of Regional Operations at Saint Francis Healthcare System.

The ACR is the nation’s oldest and most widely accepted radiation oncology accrediting body, with over 700 accredited sites, and over 30 years of accreditation experience. The ACR seal of accreditation represents the highest level of quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting specific Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards developed by ACR after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Patient care and treatment, patient safety, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Radiation Oncology Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 36,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.