Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 1, 2018

Award-winning care Learn more about Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services at KH.org/cancer or call (208) 625-4700 . COC accreditation Commission on Cancer (COC) accreditation is the gold standard for cancer pro- gram accreditation. Issued by the American College of Surgeons, Cancer Services has held it since 1990. Kootenai is one of only four centers in Idaho, and one of only two in the Inland Northwest, to hold this accreditation. “Receiving COC accreditation required us to share our information with both the Idaho state and national cancer database repositories,” said Teresa Johnston, Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services manager. “This information is used to monitor and report outcomes, determine patterns of care, identify disparities, and focus on areas for quality improvement. By participating in this program, we are working alongside other highly qualified organizations to improve care across the state and across the country.” Oncology-certifiedRNs The Oncology Nursing Society provides an opportunity for nurses to gain this special cancer care certification. More than 60 percent of Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services clinical registered nurses (RNs) are oncology-certified. All of Kootenai’s RNs are required to obtain or maintain a chemotherapy/biotherapy administration certifica- tion before they can give these medications to patients. QOPI certification Issued by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, QOPI certification was granted to Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services in 2017. Kootenai is the third organization in Idaho, and the only organization in the Inland Northwest, to receive this certification. QOPI demonstrates Kootenai’s compliance with nationally approved standards and demonstrates a commit- ment to quality. These standards are proven best practices that go beyond standard treatment, covering every aspect of care to ensure every patient receives the very best care possible at every step of their journey, from diagnosis to survivorship. NAPBC accreditation Issued by the American College of Surgeons, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) is a new accreditation earned in 2017 for excellence in breast cancer care. Kootenai is the only organization in Idaho and the Inland Northwest to receive this accreditation. “To receive this accreditation, we had to meet specific additional requirements above and beyond COC accreditation for breast cancer patients,” Teresa said. “This shows our team’s resolve to provide the best care for patients in northern Idaho and our willingness to continue challenging ourselves to continuously improve.” Breast Imaging Center of Excellence Kootenai received this designation from the American College of Radiology in 2010. This means that the imaging technologists, radiologists and equipment at Kootenai meet the highest national standards. This qualification gives patients the best opportunity for early detection and survivorship. Certified Lung Cancer Screening Center Kootenai Clinic has held this designation from the American College of Radiology since 2015. Like the Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, this designation means that the imaging technolo- gists, radiologists and equipment at Kootenai meet the highest national standards—allowing patients to have the best opportunity for early detection and survivorship. KH . ORG 15