Surveyor Assignments for 2012 Surveys
The Commission on Cancer (CoC) looks forward to working with you on the 2012 cancer program survey. The 2012 survey will include cancer program activity during the years 2009, 2010, and 2011. The SAR is to be completed with information from 2009 to current date with appropriate documentation attached to the SAR through the 'Survey Documentation' link (on SAR menu). 2012 surveys will be based on standards in Cancer Program Standards 2009: Revised Edition.
To learn more about your surveyor(s), locate his or her profile on the Programs Currently Accredited page of the American College of Surgeons web site at http://www.facs.org/cancer/coc/accredited.html. The surveyor(s) contact information is available through the 'Surveyor Contact List' link located on the CoC Datalinks activity menu.
The program may decline the assigned surveyor(s) within 10 calendar days of this notification only if a conflict of interest exists; i.e., affiliation with the facility or network being surveyed or affiliation with another facility in direct competition with the facility or network being surveyed. Contact Lisa Landvogt at the e-mail address below about any surveyor conflicts. A new surveyor will be assigned within 30 days of notification of the conflict.
The selection of a survey date is coordinated between the cancer program and the assigned surveyor(s) and must be scheduled within the calendar quarter that the survey is due as listed in the e-mail notification. Once a date and time has been negotiated, the surveyor will notify the CoC Cancer Program staff, and an e-mail notification to the cancer program will confirm the survey date and time. Cancellation of or changing a confirmed survey date requires the program to pay a minimum $1000 fee plus the surveyor(s) non-refundable travel costs.
The SAR and CoC Hospital Locator links will close for maintenance and enhancements in preparation for 2012 surveys on Monday, December 19, 2011. The 2011 SAR and CoC Hospital Locator links will become available for access at 12 noon Central Time on Tuesday, December 20, 2011. This closure does NOT affect the NCDB link for data submission.
You will receive a separate e-mail notification when the 2012 Survey SAR for your facility or network becomes available on-line. The SAR is to be reviewed and completed in preparation for the survey, which should be a team effort by members of the cancer committee.
To allow adequate time for surveyor review and preparation, and no later than 14 calendar days before the scheduled on-site visit, the SAR must be completed on-line. Other required and supporting documentation, outlined on pages eight and nine in the Cancer Program Standards 2009, Revised Edition, are expected to be uploaded to the SAR, from the 'Survey Documentation' link located on the SAR Menu. No paper documents will be accepted.
At the direction of the surveyor, changes can be made to the SAR up to three business days after the survey. The SAR cannot be modified during the CoC review process but will be available for viewing through the CoC Datalinks activity menu.
A NEW SAR for 2012 Standards, used for program tracking and record keeping next year, will be accessible by mid-year 2012. The new SAR will only ask for 2012 activity, historical data will NOT be carried over. CoC communication will inform you of access to the new SAR.
Before completing the SAR, it is recommended that you review the SAR Tip Sheet, Pre-Survey Documentation, and SAR Documentation FAQ documents which are available on-line through the CoC Datalinks activity menu under 'SAR Reference Guide' and the Survey-Programs Currently Accredited page of the American College of Surgeons at http://www.facs.org/cancer/coc/accredited.html. Questions related to the SAR and survey preparation should be submitted by e-mail to SAR@facs.org.
The survey fee for 2012 is $7,500 for individual cancer programs or $7,500 plus $3,750 for each hospital within a network. Invoices are e-mailed to the registrar at least one month before the survey takes place. Payment of the fee is due within 30 days of the actual survey date.
Contact Lisa Landvogt, at (312) 202-5314 or Llandvogt@facs.org for further assistance with surveyor assignment. Include your first and last name, facility/network name, FIN, city and state, e-mail address, and phone number.
Thank you.
American College of Surgeons
Commission on Cancer
Revised December 14, 2011