St. Rita's is recognized as an outstanding provider of cancer services. Over
the past year, several professional peer reviews, accreditations and evaluations
have been performed with excellent results.
The American College of Radiology (ACR)* gave a full three-year
accreditation to the Allison Radiation Oncology Center making it one of only
six radiation oncology centers in Ohio to receive this recognition. Only 134
radiation oncology centers in the country have achieved this accreditation.
This accreditation is awarded for the achievement of high practice standards.
Evaluations are conducted by board certified physicians and medical physicists.
They assess the qualifications of personnel, adequacy of equipment, as well
as quality assessment and improvement activities including peer review.
The ACR certification tells the world that a facility has undergone a rigorous
review process and meets nationally accepted standards of care. Accreditation
demonstrates a commitment to quality care and patient safety through the use
of qualified staff, appropriate equipment and adherence to quality assurance
and safety guidelines. The American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer
gave St. Rita's Regional Cancer Services a top rating of 1 on each of the 47
mandatory standards reviewed by outside health professionals. The group awarded
St. Rita's the Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program rating of 1
putting it in the top quarter of all cancer programs surveyed. St. Rita's Regional
Cancer Services received no deficiencies thus allowing the high rating.
The Ohio Department of Health, Quality Assurance Review gave
St. Rita's Cancer Registry excellent scores. Staffed by Betty Badertscher and
Jane Merschman, the registry received a score of 99.8% for case ascertainment
completeness and 98% for Data Quality from the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance
System (O.C.I.S.S.) review. This is exceptional scoring thanks to conscientious
work of our cancer registry professionals and the ancillary team members who
contribute to the overall success.
All St. Rita's Cancer Services are accredited by the Joint Commission
on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
At St. Rita's our oncology nurses are also awarded special accreditations.
Nurses that are certified in oncology nursing (Oncology Certified Nurses-OCN)
assure patients that they are receiving care from the most qualified nurses
in the field. It also assures the patient that the nurses are aware of the
most current issues and trends in oncology nursing. Many of nurses in St. Rita's
Oncology Services cross-train and work in both the inpatient and outpatient
units, with 89% of the nurses being certified in oncology nursing.
Oncology Certification is nationally recognized by the Oncology Nurses Society
(ONS). ONS develops the certification exams and uses best practices in oncology
nursing based on research. Nurses wanting oncology certification must successfully
pass the examination and maintain a specific number of continuing education
hours.
*St. Rita's Mammography services at the Women's Wellness Center and the MRI
and CT Departments are also ACR accredited.
