CoC Announces Standards Updates

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) has released an updated version of its accreditation standards, Optimal Resources for Cancer Care (2020 Standards). The updated standards and the change log documenting the revisions are now available on the CoC website.

Pediatric Program Standards

The Pediatric Cancer Program (PCP) standards have been updated to add guidance and clarifications. Updates apply to both standalone PCPs, and programs adding a secondary pediatric accreditation category to an existing CoC accreditation.

Standard 5.1: College of American Pathologists Synoptic Reporting

The internal audit requirement for Standard 5.1 has been updated to clarify that each calendar year the internal audit must evaluate a minimum of 20 total surgical resection cases. The selected cases must include at least three different disease sites. Programs must meet compliance with the revised standard beginning January 1, 2024.

As previously announced, Standard 5.1 is not being evaluated for compliance during site visits conducted in 2023 or 2024. Starting in 2025, all future site visits will only evaluate compliance with Standard 5.1 for calendar year 2024 and beyond.

Standard 4.2: Oncology Nursing Credentials

Effective immediately, per diem nurses who work less than 832 hours each calendar year are not required to demonstrate compliance with Standard 4.2. Per diem nurses who work 832 hours or more each calendar year must meet the standard as written. This information has been included in an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, located in the CoC Standards Resource Library, available through the ACS Quality Portal.

For more information on the CoC standards, Optimal Resources for Cancer Care (2020 Standards), please visit the CoC website. Questions regarding the 2020 accreditation standards should be submitted through the  CAnswer Forum.