National Recognition for High Quality Care at Cedars-Sinai's Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute

Los Angeles - Dec. 20, 2011 – The Commission on Cancer, a national consortium of organizations dedicated to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients, has recognized Cedars-Sinai’s Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute as one of nation’s foremost cancer programs.

As a commission-accredited cancer program, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates that it provides its patients with access to the most current clinical trials, newest treatment options, comprehensive and multidisciplinary care, as well as the latest equipment and services.

Each cancer program evaluated by the commission must meet 36 rigorous standards for accreditation. Cedars-Sinai met or exceeded each requirement, leading to its receiving an Accreditation with Commendation. Fewer than half of the commission-accredited cancer programs receive this high designation.

“This recognition shows the cancer community and all cancer patients that we maintain the highest dedication to optimal care on every level,” said Steven Piantadosi, MD, PhD, Phase One Foundation chair and director of the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute .

Only 25 percent of the nation’s hospitals, about 1,400 programs, are commission accredited in the voluntary program. These accredited hospitals diagnose and treat 71 percent of newly diagnosed cancer patients each year.

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the commission is a leader in cancer standard-setting, prevention, research, education and monitoring of comprehensive, quality care. Its membership includes 42 national organizations from the full spectrum of cancer care.

Cedars-Sinai has one of the largest clinical research trial facilities of any private hospital in the nation. Its outpatient cancer center treats more than 9,000 patients each year, making it one of the busiest treatment facilities in California. The institute’s cancer program was deemed one of the top in the country in U.S. News & World Report’s 2010-11 “Best Hospitals” issue.Cedars-Sinai’s Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute is known for combining the highest quality patient care and the latest advances in cancer research. Institute physicians, scientists and other health care providers are focused on bringing patients the broadest range of options to treat cancer – including many not widely available elsewhere.