The NAPRC Optimal Resources for Rectal Cancer Care (2020 Standards) are available for download. The change log documents edits made to 2020 Standardssince its original release.
A crosswalk and notable changes resource comparing the 2017 standards to the 2020 Standards is available for download. Unless otherwise noted, programs are expected to implement changes in the 2020 standards by January 2021.
Interested in using content from Optimal Resources for Rectal Cancer Care (2020 Standards)? Please review the ACSCancer Programs Accreditation Content Use Permission Requirements.
The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) Standards evaluate the following elements of a rectal cancer program:
Frequently Asked Questions resource has been developed based on questions received from programs on pathology and radiology-related standards.
Because the NAPRC rectal cancer measures in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) are in development, the four reports on NCDB data required in Standard 2.2 are not currently being rated. However, it is encouraged that the Rectal Cancer Program Director begin to report on data that is relevant to the rectal cancer program from the program's own registry or through other NCDB tools, such as the CQIP report.
The required elements for rectal cancer MRI results are defined in the .
Beginning January 1, 2023, Standard 5.13 is retired. It will not be rated at site visits occurring after its retirement.
Compliance with Standard 7.1 is not required at this time. This standard is still in development.
For compliance with Standard 8.1, all surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists on the facility’s Rectal Cancer Multidisciplinary Team must complete the NAPRC-endorsed education module related to their respective specialties at least once.
Programs that underwent a NAPRC site visit in 2021 or earlier will need to comply with Standard 8.1 before the first re-accreditation visit. For any program undergoing its initial site visit in 2022 or later, Standard 8.1 must be complied with before the initial site visit.
The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) web-based Fundamentals of Rectal Cancer Surgery Course is now available. More information, including cost, may be found on the .
The American College of Radiology (ACR) has released the education module that RC-MDT radiologist members must complete for compliance with Standard 8.1. For full course description please visit . NAPRC applicant programs have two options to purchase the course:
The College of American Pathologists' (CAP) “Protocol for the Examination of Resection Specimens from Patients with Primary Carcinoma of the Colon and Rectum” must be reviewed as a self-study by all pathologist members of the accredited program’s RC-MDT. This protocol can be found on the .
The is now available.