Improved Survival with Improved NAPRC Compliance: A Single-Institution Experience

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Quality Improvement

Background:

• The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) was established in 2017 to standardize rectal cancer care.
• This study evaluates the impact of NAPRC standards adherence on patient survival outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the association between compliance with NAPRC standards and three-year survival rates in rectal cancer patients.
• To quantify the survival benefit conferred by adherence to NAPRC guidelines.

Main Methods:

• A prospective database collected data on compliance with 15 NAPRC standards for patients diagnosed between August 2019 and August 2021.
• Retrospective analysis of this database assessed compliance levels and three-year survival post-diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Patients were categorized into low, moderate, and high compliance groups, with no significant differences in age, sex, race, or disease stage.
• Both moderate and high compliance groups demonstrated statistically significant reductions in hazard ratios compared to the low compliance group (HR 0.22 and HR 0.12, respectively).

Conclusions:

• Increased adherence to NAPRC standards is directly correlated with improved survival outcomes for rectal cancer patients.
• Rectal cancer patients receiving care aligned with at least eight NAPRC standards experienced a significant three-year survival advantage.