Standard 4.3 of the Cancer Program Standards 2004 has been modified to state the AJCC staging is assigned by the managing physician and recorded in a standardized location(s) in the medical record on 90 percent of eligible analytic cases.  The original standard stated the AJCC staging needed to be recorded on a staging form in the medical record on 90 percent of eligible analytic cases.   Not considered at the time Standard 4.3 was established was the impact of requiring a staging form in many facilities.  This change enables facility-based flexibility, but still achieves the overall goal, which is to standardize the location(s) for staging information.  The change in this standard will be effective January 1, 2005, to allow programs adequate time to modify their AJCC Staging Policy and Procedure. For further information log on to their Web site at http://www.facs.org.

The ACoS-CoC Report was prepared by ACOA/ACoS-CoC liaison, Jeannie O’Leary.  Her role as liaison is to enhance our relationship and collaboration by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, initiatives, critical issues, and actions that impact cancer care, data collection, and research.  We have the opportunity to bring matters of importance for ACOA to the CoC, as well as communicate CoC activities to the ACOA.  If you have input on particular issues regarding credentialing and ACoS standards, please contact Jeannie O’Leary.