2010 Access to Survey Application Record (SAR)
This communication serves as official notification from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer that the Survey Application Record (SAR) has been updated for 2010 surveys and is now accessible through CoC Datalinks on the Cancer Programs/Survey-Specific Resources page of the ACS website at https://datalinks.facs.org/ncic_login.cfm. Please review the following information provided to assist you as you prepare for survey.
The cancer committee should designate appropriate staff responsible for reviewing and/or updating and saving all information in the SAR, in association with the assigned 2010 survey. Please contact CoCDatalinks@facs.org if you require assistance with your user ID and password.
Note that the 2010 survey will include years of cancer program activity from 2007, 2008, and 2009. The SAR is to be completed with information from 2007 to current date with appropriate documentation provided.
2010 updates to the SAR include the following:
Starting with 2010 surveys, programs will be required to upload electronic documents (minutes, policy and procedures, studies, etc.) to a new, user friendly Web page called “SAR Documentation.” This link is located on the SAR menu. Electronic documents are required to be uploaded two weeks prior to the survey.
Chapter 2: Standard 2.5: Two NEW fields added to support SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely). Standard 2.6: NEW questions on conference policy, breast conference, and breast program. Standard 2.7: Now added to the bottom of the screen of Standard 2.6. Standard 2.8: Table split into two; first table includes cases presented and prospective case information. Second table includes information about clinical stage and treatment guidelines discussions. Standard 2.9: NEW field; name of person providing report to cancer committee. Standard 2.10: NEW field; name of person providing report on registry quality to cancer committee. Standard 2.11: Date of outcome results added to “Outcome Measure” field.
Chapter 3: Standard 3.3: NEW table added where surveyors will enter results of abstract review.
Chapter 4: Standard 4.2: Added Infusion Center to table. Standard 4.3: NEW question; what is the accuracy rate of clinical stage? Standard 4.6: Revision to the cancer-related pathology reports review table. NEW table added where surveyors will enter results of pathology report review. Rating of 1+ for commendation will return for 2010 surveys.
Chapter 6: Standard 6.1: Several items added, revised, or deleted.
Chapter 7: Standard 7.2: Copied “number of registry staff” field from Standard 3.1 to table in Standard 7.2.
Chapter 8: Standard 8.1: Two national guideline fields deleted and replace with ”Comparison to National Benchmark.” Standard 8.2: Deleted two fields on national guidelines. Cancer Liaison Physician Activity Report: Questions and options have been revised.
Please note that information completed in the SAR for the cancer-related specialties and various resources and services is automatically updated in your facility or network's record in the Facility Information Profile System.
In preparation for survey, the cancer committee should review the following materials:
The current online version of Cancer Program Standards 2009, Revised Edition (specifically the survey process, guidelines for on-site review, and standards and compliance criteria outlined in Chapters 1–8).
SAR instruction guide and tip sheet are located on the CoC Datalinks activity menu, the SAR menu, or at http://www.facs.org/cancer/coc/surveyresources.html.
The SAR is used by the cancer program to document compliance with the Commission's standards since the last survey. On November 24, 2009, you were notified by e-mail of the assigned surveyor's name (surveyor profile located at http://www.facs.org/cancer/coc/surveyorprofiles.html) and how to access the surveyor's profile and contact information (available through the ”Surveyor Contact List” link located on the CoC Datalinks activity menu) for scheduling the survey date. Your surveyor should be contacting you to schedule your survey date sometime in the near future.
Questions related to the SAR and survey preparation should be submitted by e-mail to SAR@facs.org. To assist us in providing high quality customer service, the e-mail message should include your complete contact information (first and last name, facility or network name, facility identification number, city and state, e-mail address, and phone number).
Thank you.
American College of Surgeons
Commission on Cancer
Revised May 14, 2010