Atrium Health Peyton Anderson Cancer Center, has earned a three-year accreditation  from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), a quality program of the American College of  Surgeons. The cancer center, an Atrium Health Navicent facility, is the first in Georgia to receive NAPRC accreditation. 

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. 

Additionally, the program met standards addressing the clinical services that the rectal cancer program provides, including  Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA testing), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Computerized Tomography (CT)  imaging for cancer staging which allow patients to start treatment within a defined timeframe. Rectal cancer programs  accredited by the NAPRC undergo a site visit every three years and are also accredited by the American College of  Surgeons Commission on Cancer.  

“Receiving national accreditation is a reflection of our teammates’ commitment to quality as we continue to improve our  community’s health and wellness, elevate hope and advance healing for ALL,” said Atrium Health Navicent President and  CEO Delvecchio Finley. “Congratulations to our cancer center teammates for their hard work that resulted in this  accreditation.” 

Accreditation by the NAPRC is granted only to those 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. 

“As a NAPRC recognized facility, Atrium Health Peyton Anderson Cancer Center is held to a higher standard as we  provide high quality care close to home,” said Dr. Zachary Lopater, Atrium Health Peyton Anderson Cancer Center’s  rectal care program medical director. “Thanks to Oncology Nurse Navigator Aime Clance and to all of our teammates who  helped make this achievement possible.”