Forrest General’s Cancer Registry achieves Fourth Gold Certification | Health

Forrest General’s Cancer Registry was recently awarded Gold certification by the Mississippi Cancer Registry for the fourth time in five years. The Mississippi Cancer Registry began awarding this certification in 2008, recognizing hospitals who submit timely, complete and high quality data to the Mississippi Cancer Registry.

The Mississippi Cancer Registry collects information on all those diagnosed with cancer in the state. This year’s certification was based on data collected on cancer diagnoses from 2010. There are two levels of certification – Gold and Silver. In order to receive this highest level of certification, the hospital had to submit at least 95 percent of the expected volume of cancer cases that were diagnosed and/or received first treatment there. This designation also depends on the hospital’s reporting of complete information, including location, age and race of those diagnosed.

The Mississippi Cancer Registry was established in 1993 by the Mississippi Legislature and the Mississippi State Department of Health to be a comprehensive source of cancer data for the entire state. The registry is supported by funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Mississippi Department of Health and the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

“The Cancer Registry is a key component of Forrest General’s Cancer Center, supporting the program through collection and analysis of cancer data,” said Joe Marcello, Forrest General Oncology service line administrator. “Our multiple years of Gold certification are a result of Forrest General’s long-standing commitment to cancer care, and excellence in the high level of care that we provide for our patients.”

Forrest General’s Cancer Center ranks among the largest and most sophisticated regional cancer centers in South Mississippi. The Cancer Center offers a comprehensive program encompassing continuing care, detection, diagnosis, education, prevention, psychosocial support, screening and treatment for cancer patients.

For more information on the Mississippi Cancer Registry, visit http://mcr.umc.edu. For more information on Forrest General’s Cancer Center, call FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445 or visit forrestgeneral.com.