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Bayhealth earns national accreditation for rectal cancer program

May 23, 2022

As a regional healthcare leader, Bayhealth continues to expand on its capabilities in providing the highest level of cancer care for central and southern Delawareans.

The Bayhealth Cancer Center Kent Campus recently earned accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer, a quality program of the American College of Surgeons. Bayhealth is among fewer than 50 programs in the United States and the first in Delaware to be accredited for rectal cancer care.

"We are extremely proud of this recognition by NAPRC. Our achievement is a testament to the dedication and work of the entire multidisciplinary rectal cancer team. The goal of our program is to provide patients in our community with access to high-quality care that meets the highest national standards close to home," said Dr. Assar Rather, FACS, FASCRS, Bayhealth colorectal surgeon and rectal cancer program director.

To achieve voluntary NAPRC accreditation, a rectal center must demonstrate compliance with the NAPRC standards addressing program management, clinical services and quality improvement for patients. Centers are required to establish a multidisciplinary rectal cancer team that includes clinical representatives from surgery, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology and medical oncology.

Bayhealth’s program also met standards addressing the clinical services the rectal cancer program provides, including carcinoembryonic antigen testing, magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography imaging for cancer staging. These tests allow patients to start treatment within a defined time frame.

“It is a significant accomplishment to be the first in the state of Delaware and one of 46 programs in the United States to receive this accreditation,” said Terry Murphy, FACHE, Bayhealth president and CEO. “We have a very dedicated group of physicians and healthcare team members involved in this program here at Bayhealth, and we are proud of them and this recognition for our high-quality standards in rectal cancer care.”

Accreditation by the NAPRC is granted only to programs that are committed to providing the best possible care to patients with rectal cancer. The NAPRC provides the structure and resources to develop and operate a high-quality rectal center, and accredited programs follow a model for organizing and managing a rectal center to ensure multidisciplinary, integrated, comprehensive rectal cancer services.

To learn more about colorectal cancer or for help scheduling a screening, call Bayhealth Lung and Colorectal Nurse Navigator Trina Turner at 302-744-6831.

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