Baton Rouge General Earns National Re-accreditation for Rectal Cancer

Baton Rouge General Secures NAPRC Re-Accreditation

Baton Rouge General has earned re-accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer for providing the highest level of care in treating rectal cancer.

Rising Incidence Rates and Clinical Realities

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women, and it stands as the deadliest cancer in people under 50. Incidence rates among adults aged 20 to 49 have climbed by about 3% each year, with approximately 75% of cases in this younger age group diagnosed at an advanced stage. Rectal cancer now accounts for 1 in 3 colorectal cancer diagnoses.

Accreditation Standards and Patient Outcomes

Hospitals holding NAPRC accreditation see better outcomes for patients dealing with complex rectal cancer treatments, including fewer complications and improved survival rates. A recent study found that accredited hospitals recorded significantly fewer instances where cancer cells remained at the edges of a tumor after surgery. The NAPRC is a quality program administered by the American College of Surgeons.

To secure this recognition, a rectal center must demonstrate compliance with standards covering program management, clinical services, and quality improvement. Facilities must assemble a comprehensive multidisciplinary rectal cancer team featuring clinical experts from surgery, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. At Baton Rouge General, Dr. Scott Daugherty serves as the rectal cancer program director, overseeing the hospital’s NAPRC accredited rectal cancer program.

Screening Guidelines for Early Detection

Because early stages of rectal cancer frequently present no symptoms, regular screening colonoscopies are recommended starting at age 45 for individuals at average risk. Earlier screenings are advised for those with a family history or other risk factors, including a history of inflammatory bowel disease or colon and rectal polyps.

Triple Accreditation and Institutional History

Baton Rouge General is the only hospital in the state with all three key cancer program accreditations from the American College of Surgeons: the Commission on Cancer, the NAPRC, and the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. BRG was the first hospital in Louisiana to earn NAPBC accreditation in 2009. Opened in 1900, the institution operates as a community hospital with over 600 licensed beds across three campuses and functions as an accredited teaching hospital.