Bayhealth is proud announce that the Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus, has once again been accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC).
Bayhealth was the first in the state to earn this accreditation in 2022. Accreditation by the NAPRC is granted only to those programs that are committed to providing the best possible care to patients with rectal cancer. The NAPRC provides the structure and resources to develop and operate a high-quality rectal center, and accredited programs follow a model for organizing and managing a rectal center to ensure multidisciplinary, integrated, comprehensive rectal cancer services.
Hospitals who have this accreditation demonstrate significantly better outcomes for patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery compared to non-accredited hospitals, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).
The study analyzed the surgical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries who underwent proctectomy (surgical removal of the rectum) between 2017 and 2020. The researchers found that patients treated at hospitals accredited by the NAPRC experienced lower rates of in-hospital mortality compared to those treated at non-accredited hospitals: (1.1% vs. 1.3%), 30-day mortality (2.1% vs. 2.9%), 30-day complications (18.3% vs. 19.4%), and 1-year mortality rates (11.0% vs. 12.1%).
The NAPRC, established by the ACS in 2017, sets rigorous standards centered on multidisciplinary program structure, evidence-based care processes, and internal auditing. These standards aim to address the variability in rectal cancer treatment practices and outcomes, ensuring patients receive the highest quality care.
Despite the benefits, only 3.3% (65 out of 1,985) of included hospitals are NAPRC accredited. However, these accredited centers treat a larger proportion of patients. Among 20,202 patients, 2,078 (10%) underwent proctectomy at an accredited hospital.
Researchers believe NAPRC accreditation improves outcomes due to its emphasis on multidisciplinary care and stringent process standards, which include comprehensive pre- and post-operative assessments, ensuring higher quality care. The focus on collaborative care, meticulous reviews, and adherence to structured treatment protocols could be crucial elements enhancing patient safety and reducing mortality and complications following rectal cancer surgery.
The study also demonstrates that accredited hospitals are more likely to be nonprofit and teaching institutions with a larger bed capacity.
Bayhealth’s Rectal Cancer Program is a partnership between the Bayhealth General Surgery and Bayhealth Cancer Institute teams and is led by General and Colorectal Surgeon Assar Rather, MD. "I am proud to lead a talented group of medical professionals dedicated to high quality rectal cancer care," said Dr. Rather. "Our commitment to NAPRC accreditation elevates the quality of care for our community and has led to the expansion of clinical expertise and research at Bayhealth."
Bayhealth General Surgery Nurse Practitioner and Rectal Cancer Program Coordinator Adrianne Fisher, also plays a vital role in upholding the NAPRC standards and coordinating each patient’s care. “I have the privilege of getting to know each of our patients and their unique stories, and they are the ones who motivate me to continue to fight these terrible diseases,” said Fisher. “It’s an honor to collaborate with the rectal cancer multidisciplinary team to provide the highest quality of care to our patients and I’m proud that the ACS is once again recognizing Bayhealth’s commitment through the NAPRC accreditation.”
To learn more about colorectal cancer or for help scheduling a screening, call Bayhealth Colorectal Nurse Navigator Judy Giddens at 302-744-6098. Visit FACS.org/Quality-Programs/Cancer/COC or FACS.org/NAPRC for more information about the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer or the NAPRC specifically.
