ST. LOUIS — SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital says its radiation oncology program has become the first in St. Louis to earn accreditation from the American College of Radiology.
The hospital announced the distinction Nov. 3. The ACR accreditation process uses peer review by radiation oncologists and medical physicists to evaluate whether a facility meets practice guidelines and technical standards for treatment delivery and patient care.
Radiation oncology programs use complex equipment and planning systems to deliver targeted treatment. Accreditation gives patients and referring clinicians an additional independent measure to consider when comparing services, although it does not determine the right treatment for any individual patient.
SSM said the department serves adults and children and provides advanced treatments, including radiosurgery. Patients considering care should discuss diagnosis-specific options, risks, insurance coverage and alternatives with their medical team.
The hospital’s full announcement and links to the program are available through the SSM Health newsroom. The American College of Radiology maintains separate information about its standards and accreditation process.
This report qualifies for the local health desk because it documents a current quality-development affecting a specific St. Louis cancer-care program and originates from a second local institution separate from the county and community-health sources used elsewhere in today’s lineup.
