The Optimal Resources for Cancer Care (2020 Standards) was republished in February 2021. Updates reflected in the republished manual went into effect on January 1, 2021.
Download a change log documenting edits made to Optimal Resources for Cancer Care (2020 Standards) since its original release.
A crosswalk comparing the 2016 standards to the 2020 standards is available for download.
Pending deficiencies on a 2016 standard will be resolved by compliance toward the Optimal Resources for Cancer Care (2020 Standards). Download guidance for resolving a deficiency on a 2016 standard.
The following videos provide a high-level overview of each standard:
- Chapters 1 and 2: Institutional Administrative Commitment and Program Scope and Governance Video | Slides
- Chapter 3: Facilities and Equipment Resources Video | Slides
- Chapter 4: Personnel and Services Resources Video | Slides
- Chapter 5: Patient Care: Expectations and Protocols Video | Slides
- Chapter 6: Data Surveillance and Systems Video | Slides
- Chapter 7: Quality Improvement Video | Slides
- Chapter 8: Education: Professional and Community Outreach Video | Slides
- Chapter 9: Research Video | Slides
Best Practices for Compliance with Standards 5.7 and 5.8
Surgeons and pathologists in CoC-accredited facilities are now required to adhere to and document compliance with Standards 5.7 (Total Mesorectal Excision) and 5.8 (Pulmonary Resection) described in the 2020 CoC standards for accreditation, Optimal Resources for Cancer Care. The Cancer Surgery Standards Program is hosting an educational webinar to review best practices to achieve compliance with Standards 5.7 and 5.8. All staff at CoC programs, including administrators, pathologists, registrars, and surgeons, as well as CLPs and State Chairs, are encouraged to watch the recording.
Questions Regarding Optimal Resources for Cancer Care (2020 Standards)
CAnswer Forum is an interactive, virtual bulletin board for constituents to ask questions and search topics and is designed as an open forum for networking and discussion of the accreditation standards, cancer data collection and cancer staging, and other relevant topics. Users must complete a one-time registration where they will create a user name and password to access the forum.
A new section has been created in the CAnswer Forum to support the 2020 standards. Please post all questions related to the 2020 standards in the CAnswer Forum so that others may benefit.