Analysis of Patterns of Compliance with Accreditation Standards of National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer

Shankar Raman1, Steven S Tsoraides2, Patricia Sylla3

  • 1From the MercyOne Des Moines Surgical Group, Des Moines, IA (Raman).

Abstract

Insights

Most rectal cancer programs failed initial accreditation due to noncompliance with multidisciplinary team meeting standards. Optimized workflows are needed for successful National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer compliance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Quality Improvement

Background:

  • Rectal cancer program accreditation is crucial for standardizing care.
  • The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) was established to ensure high-quality rectal cancer treatment.
  • Identifying common areas of noncompliance is key to improving accreditation outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify frequently deficient standards in rectal cancer programs during NAPRC accreditation.
  • To analyze patterns of noncompliance across different program characteristics.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of the corrective action process in achieving accreditation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of a database from the American College of Surgeons for programs reviewed between 2018-2020.
  • Evaluation of compliance rates using the 2017 NAPRC standards manual.
  • Stratification of programs by review year, annual rectal cancer volume, and Commission on Cancer classification.

Main Results:

  • Only 2 out of 25 reviewed programs achieved 100% compliance.
  • Compliance rates varied widely, with the lowest adherence to standards for multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting discussions before and after treatment.
  • Noncompliance patterns persisted across different program sizes and classifications.

Conclusions:

  • The initial phase of NAPRC accreditation revealed widespread noncompliance, necessitating corrective action for most programs.
  • Persistent noncompliance with MDT meeting requirements underscores the need for standardized workflows.
  • Optimized processes are essential for rectal cancer programs to meet NAPRC standards and achieve accreditation.