The Effect of the Adoption of the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer Process on Compliance Standards at a Single Institution.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-14-2024
Publication Title
The American surgeon
Abstract
Background: The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) was developed to enhance the quality of rectal cancer care in the United States. This project compared NAPRC compliance at a single tertiary care academic hospital before and after the institution adopted these standards in 2019. Methods: Rectal cancer patients from 2016 to 2023 who met NAPRC eligibility criteria were retrospectively reviewed for compliance with pre-selected patient care standards. Patients diagnosed prior to August 1, 2019 (pre-NAPRC) were compared with those diagnosed afterward (post-NAPRC) to determine whether compliance with these standards differed following the institution's adoption of new guidelines. Results: This study included 353 patients, 146 pre-NAPRC and 207 post-NAPRC. The post-NAPRC group demonstrated significantly higher compliance with pretreatment standards compared to the pre-NAPRC group, including attaining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (P = .015), computed tomography (CT) (P < .001), and a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (P < .001). Postoperative standards were more frequently met in the post-NAPRC group regarding the photographing of surgical specimens (P < .001). No significant differences were observed in confirming a tissue diagnosis, starting treatment within a 60-day timeframe, or completing surgical pathology reports. Prior to initiation of the NAPRC process, the institution had achieved accreditation-level compliance in 2 of the 7 standards. Within 2 years of adopting NAPRC standards, complete compliance was met in 6 of the 7 measures. Conclusions: A single institution's adoption of NAPRC standards improved compliance with multiple rectal cancer care standards, achieving near-complete accreditation level compliance within 2 years.
First Page
31348241292730
Recommended Citation
Peters GW, Thomas G, Applegarth JA, Wasvary J, Bohler F, Callahan RE, et al [Bergeron S, Wasvary HJ] The effect of the adoption of the national accreditation program for rectal cancer process on compliance standards at a single institution. Am Surg. 2024 Oct 14:31348241292730. doi: 10.1177/00031348241292730. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39402893.
DOI
10.1177/00031348241292730
ISSN
1555-9823
PubMed ID
39402893
