Waterbury Hospital Attains National Accreditation from the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer

Waterbury Hospital announced that it has received accreditation under the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) becoming the third hospital in Connecticut to receive this accreditation.

As a participant of the NAPRC, Waterbury Hospital has earned distinction as an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. This designation recognizes that the hospital is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in surgical care.  “Earning this accreditation means we provide some of the best care in the country to rectal cancer patients.  Each case is rigorously reviewed by the multidisciplinary team to ensure the care plan for each patient is the best course of action and one that can deliver the best results.  This approach delivers personalized, patient centered care and is the first and major step towards Waterbury Hospital becoming a world class digestive disease center,” said Dr. John Zhang, colorectal surgeon.

Over the last 20 years, the outcomes of rectal cancer have been shown to be tremendously variable and highly contingent upon specialization, training, and volume. In response to this variability in care delivery, the NAPRC was developed based on international models that lead to better outcomes for patients, including a reduction in recurrence rates, better quality of life, improved function, and increased survival. NAPRC accredited programs must demonstrate compliance with the NAPRC standards, which are focused on facilitating a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to treating patients with rectal cancer.

“Dr. Zhang and the multidisciplinary team that worked on this accreditation have been treating patients to the newest and most effective standards of care. This accreditation ensures that patients in greater Waterbury will continue to receive the highest quality of care,” said Waterbury HEALTH President and CEO Deborah K. Weymouth.  

“On behalf of the Radiation & Medical Oncologists from The Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, I would like to congratulate Waterbury Hospital, Dr. Zang and associates for leading the HLRCC Multidisciplinary GI Program team in achieving Excellence in Rectal Cancer treatment as evidenced by achieving NAPRC Accreditation, which recognizes compliance with Comprehensive Standards in to providing high-quality rectal cancer care,” said Dr. Joseph Ravalese, Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center.

As a NAPRC-accredited institution, Waterbury Hospital also becomes an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. Being a Surgical Quality Partner signifies a hospital’s dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches, while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step. The Surgical Quality Partner designation lets patients know Waterbury Hospital is dedicated to quality and relentless self-improvement and has been verified or accredited by the ACS. Patients can trust that the care they receive at Surgical Quality Partner hospitals adheres to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality.

"ACS Quality programs are grounded in more than a century of experience and participation is an important measure of a hospital’s surgical quality. As an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, Waterbury HEALTH has shown a commitment providing the best possible patient care, evaluating that care in a rigorous fashion, and dedicating themselves to continuous self-improvement," said ACS Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS.

Learn more about the NAPRC.

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 88,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. “FACS” designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

About Waterbury HEALTH

Waterbury HEALTH, which includes Waterbury Hospital, Alliance Medical Group, Cardiology Associates of Greater Waterbury, VNA Health at Home and Access Rehab Centers, Greater Waterbury Imaging Center, offers comprehensive healthcare services including primary care, emergency and acute care, and home healthcare. Serving Waterbury and eleven surrounding communities in Western Connecticut, Waterbury HEALTH is a member of Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., a national family of hospitals and healthcare networks. For more information about Waterbury HEALTH visit: https://www.wtbyhealth.org/.

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