Vulnerable Patients Have a Decreased Mortality Risk When Treated at CoC-Accredited Hospitals

Vulnerable patients facing social, environmental, and economic disadvantages often experience worse cancer outcomes than other groups. Some of these disparities may be reduced by increasing access to hospitals accredited by the CoC, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).

The study found that highly vulnerable patients treated at CoC-accredited hospitals, as measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index, were more likely to receive care that adhered to national treatment guidelines and were 9% less likely to die than patients treated at non-CoC-accredited hospitals during the study period. These results may be due to CoC-accreditation requirements for treatment guideline adherence, community engagement, and addressing barriers to care, according to the study authors.

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