Established by the American College of Surgeons, the Commission on Cancer (CoC) is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standards-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care. The CoC has recognized Shaw Cancer Center’s excellence in care with its prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award, which is given to just 49 American cancer programs. The CoC also awarded Shaw with its esteemed three-year accreditation, one of the highest levels awarded.
Shaw Cancer Center has received a gold accreditation from the Commission on Cancer, the highest level achievable by the survey. Established by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients. Since the CoC’s Outstanding Achievement Award originated in 2004, only an average of 12% of the programs surveyed receives a gold accreditation each year.
Accreditation & Accolades
National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers
Shaw Cancer Center has been granted accredited status by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a quality program administered by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
As a NAPBC-accredited center, Shaw Cancer Center is committed to maintaining levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered, multidisciplinary care resulting in high-quality care for patients with breast disease. To achieve NAPBC accreditation, Shaw Cancer Center demonstrates compliance with the NAPBC standards that address a center’s leadership, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement for patients.
As a NAPBC-accredited center, Shaw Cancer Center is committed to maintaining levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered, multidisciplinary care resulting in high-quality care for patients with breast disease. To achieve NAPBC accreditation, Shaw Cancer Center demonstrates compliance with the NAPBC standards that address a center’s leadership, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement for patients.
COLA Laboratory Excellence Award
The Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA) has awarded Shaw Cancer Center a COLA Laboratory Excellence Award in recognition of its commitment to performing quality patient testing and superior overall laboratory practices.
The Laboratory Excellence Award is achieved by those COLA laboratories that are compliant with all COLA essential and required criteria at the time of their on-site survey. In addition, award recipients must have demonstrated successful proficiency testing for the prior three testing events and have no substantiated complaints against the laboratory.
The Laboratory Excellence Award is achieved by those COLA laboratories that are compliant with all COLA essential and required criteria at the time of their on-site survey. In addition, award recipients must have demonstrated successful proficiency testing for the prior three testing events and have no substantiated complaints against the laboratory.
American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI)
Shaw has been recognized with a certification for its commitment to excellence and ongoing quality improvement. Comprised of academic oncologists and quality experts, QOPI incorporates measures and standards based on clinical guidelines and published standards for quality oncology care.
Shaw Cancer Center achieved accreditation since 2015 through the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Shaw Cancer Center achieved accreditation since 2015 through the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) APEx - Accreditation Program for Excellence®
Vail Health Shaw Cancer Center successfully attained accreditation from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) APEx - Accreditation Program for Excellence®. APEx provides external validation that a radiation oncology facility is delivering high-quality patient care. Shaw Cancer Center's accreditation is effective for four years.
APEx, a radiation oncology practice accreditation program sponsored by ASTRO is a powerful tool to measure and drive quality improvement in radiation oncology practices. It is a voluntary, objective and rigorous multi-step process during which a radiation oncology practice is evaluated using consensus-based standards. The practice must demonstrate its safety and quality processes and show that it adheres to patient-centered care by promoting effective communication, coordinated treatments and strong patient engagement. The accreditation process is a commitment to an ongoing safety culture. Only 10% of radiation oncology facilities in the US have achieved this accreditation.
APEx, a radiation oncology practice accreditation program sponsored by ASTRO is a powerful tool to measure and drive quality improvement in radiation oncology practices. It is a voluntary, objective and rigorous multi-step process during which a radiation oncology practice is evaluated using consensus-based standards. The practice must demonstrate its safety and quality processes and show that it adheres to patient-centered care by promoting effective communication, coordinated treatments and strong patient engagement. The accreditation process is a commitment to an ongoing safety culture. Only 10% of radiation oncology facilities in the US have achieved this accreditation.
Nightingale Award for Exceptional Achievement in Quality Improvement
The Nightingale Award for Exceptional Achievement in Quality Improvement is a prestigious recognition given to nurses who demonstrate outstanding leadership, advocacy, and innovation in improving patient care. We are proud to announce that Karen Clous, RN, our Oncology Quality Specialist at Shaw Cancer Center, has been honored with this award. Karen's dedication to diminishing barriers to care, such as health literacy, and identifying ways to help lessen financial burdens linked to cancer treatment, significantly enhances the patient experience and outcomes. This award underscores our commitment to providing exceptional care and highlights the remarkable contributions of our nursing staff to the well-being of our patients.
Center of Excellence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphatic Diseases
Shaw Cancer Center, in partnership with Howard Head Sports Medicine, is a Center of Excellence in the diagnosis and treatment of lymphatic diseases with the Lymphatic Education & Research Network. Referral Network of Excellence designation indicates that the institution and/or nearby collaborating institutions can provide the listed services, and that these institutions can coordinate provision of the services.