This marked the second time that Huntington's cancer program was surveyed. Because increasing numbers of patients are seeking treatment at Huntington's Don Monti Center, the hospital's overall program reflects a higher level of commitment to cancer care. Multidisciplinary tumor board meetings are held more frequently, and physicians regularly attend special meetings dedicated to breast cancer and lung cancer. As a result of this increased patient volume and highly focused cancer program coordination, the hospital's ACoS approval category was upgraded. Huntington is now certified as a "Comprehensive Community Cancer Center."

"The ACoS looks at a number of areas, including our multidisciplinary approach to cancer management," noted Michael Buchholtz, MD, Chief of Oncology at Huntington.

According to the ACoS, their approvals program "promotes consultation among surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, and other cancer specialists. This multidisciplinary cooperation results in improved patient care."

ACoS approval is granted to only 20% of the nation's cancer programs. In New York State, there are only 70 cancer programs with ACoS approval, and the number designated as Comprehensive Community Programs is just 20. The ACoS estimates that more than 80% of cancer patients are treated at approved centers.

"ACoS approval confirms that our hospital has all of the necessary elements in place to provide exceptional care to cancer patients," stated Gail Probst, RN, Cancer Program Coordinator. "Being able to offer these services in the context of a full service community hospital means that our patients also have their other medical needs addressed. After all, cancer patients can still suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Here at Huntington, all of their doctors collaborate to ensure that there is a coordinated and well-thoughtout approach to their care."

Among the required elements for ACoS certification are multidisciplinary tumor board conferences; state-of-the-art services and equipment; access to clinical trials, education, and support; cancer screenings; patient follow-up through a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results; and ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.

Approval by the ACoS 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 thorough evaluation process and performance review. In order to maintain approval, facilities with approved cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years.

For additional information on Huntington's Don Monti Cancer Center, call Gail Probst, RN, at (631) 351-2568.