May 2001
Highlights for the month:
Highlights of the 2001 CoC Spring Meeting
Key outcomes from committee deliberations and the Information Forum are available in a PowerPoint presentation on our Web site. We encourage cancer liaison physicians and state chairs to use the slide presentation at state chapter and hospital cancer committee meetings. Included in the presentation are a discussion of the restructuring of the CoC committees, the future direction for changes to the CoC cancer program and data standards, and a sample of screen shots from the prototype of the new NCDB benchmarking tool, an Internet application, that will be available at the end of 2001.
Highlights
HHS Final Rule on Confidentiality of Health Information
On March 30, 2001, the American College of Surgeons submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services related to concerns about the final rule for Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information. Three areas were addressed: the effect of the rule on disease registries, including hospital cancer registries and the National Cancer Data Base; its effect on voluntary accreditation programs; and the administrative and cost burdens that the privacy rule will impose on surgeons and other health care providers defined as covered entities. The rule will not go into effect until April 13, 2003, and it is expected that some modifications will be made based on additional comments submitted by the College and other organizations. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
Highlights
ACOSOG Expands Eligibility for Z10 and Z11 Sentinel Node Trials
Amendments to the eligibility requirements for participation in sentinel node trials Z10 and Z11 are making it easier for interested surgeons and patients to join the trials. Documentation of only 20 sentinel node biopsies with completion axillary dissection as surgeon and/or first assistant or documentation of training in the sentinel node technique during residency or fellowship is the only requirement. In addition, patients who present with a positive sentinel node biopsy are now eligible to enter Z11 even if they were not part of the Z10 studies. These trials will provide important information on the prognostic significance of micrometastases in lymph nodes and bone marrow (Z10) and the therapeutic benefit of axillary dissection (Z11). The COC strongly urges its member surgeons to demonstrate their commitment to clinical research by participating in these trials. For additional information, contact ACOSOG at 919-668-8400.
Highlights
Meeting the Approvals Program Physician Staging Requirement
The mandatory standard for physician staging in the medical record is problematic for some hospitals. It has been found, however, that consistent staging is regularly achieved by programs whose hospital bylaws require AJCC staging in the chart before a medical record can be considered complete. Therefore, for hospitals without this requirement, the cancer committee chair can play an important role in initiating a change in hospital bylaws.
Once staging is a hospital requirement, it can become a routine and simple process. For example, a blank site-specific AJCC staging form can be placed in the chart by health information management staff and completed by the physician along with the discharge summary or other portions of the chart. This process also be completed electronically for those programs with an electronic medical record.
Highlights
Data Forms for Gastric and NSCLC PCEs
In response to numerous requests, the NCDB is providing data forms for the 2001 Gastric and NSCLC Patient Care Evaluation (PCE) studies along with the instructions and code definitions for each data item on our Web site. Such forms are designed only to assist registrars in recording the data items required for cases entered into the 2001 PCE studies, and are not to be used to submit data to NCDB. Submission for these studies can only be performed electronically, in conjunction with the ACoS Call for Data. If you have any questions about the material, please contact Mary Jo Strebel at mstrebel@facs.org.
Highlights
ACS Cancer Survivors Network Provides Forum for Survivors and Caregivers
The American Cancer Society now offers the Cancer Survivors Network (CSN), a unique network enabling cancer survivors and caregivers to communicate and share their experiences. Created by survivors and for survivors and their caregivers, this support system is completely experience based to address the psychosocial needs of cancer survivors and caregivers. Available through the Internet (www.cancer.org) or by calling the ACS toll-free at 1-877-333-4673, the CSN provides the tools for individuals with similar experiences to connect with each other, build relationships, and express themselves.
The CSN is a private and secure network so users can feel completely at ease. The level of participation is completely voluntary, and individuals need not reveal their identity or other personal information. The services of CSN are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Highlights
To Subscribe to CoC Flash
CoC Flash is e-mailed automatically each month to individuals for whom the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has an e-mail address. If you wish to continue to receive the newsletter on a monthly basis, you need do nothing. You can discontinue your subscription by writing to coc@facs.org and requesting that your name be deleted from the database. Individuals not currently receiving the newsletter may subscribe to the publication by sending an e-mail message to coc@facs.org and asking to be added to our electronic distribution database.
To Submit Information
CoC Flash will accept submissions received by the monthly deadlines stated below. However, the CoC reserves the right to decide whether or not the materials are appropriate for inclusion. Information for CoC Flash should be timely, news worthy, brief, and of use and interest to the constituents of the Commission, which include cancer registrars, liaison physicians, cancer committee chairs, and other cancer-oriented health care professionals. To submit material, send it to coc@facs.org.
The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to decreasing the morbidity and mortality caused by cancer through prevention, monitoring and reporting of care, standard-setting, and education. CoC Flash is a monthly news service for constituents of the CoC provided by the Commission and the Cancer Department of the American College of Surgeons.
CoC Flash
Commission on Cancer
