Mount Nittany Health is pleased to announce that it successfully attained full accreditation from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) APEx- Accreditation Program for Excellence®. APEx was developed by radiation oncology professionals to recognize facilities that deliver safe, high-quality patient care. Mount Nittany Health is one of the only APEx accredited facilities in Central Pennsylvania. The next closest health system with accreditation is in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. Mount Nittany Health’s accreditation is effective for four years.
“Mount Nittany Health is honored to receive APEx accreditation from ASTRO,” said Kathleen Rhine, President and CEO, Mount Nittany Health. “Our radiation oncology team is dedicated to providing safe, patient-centered cancer care to our community. Meeting ASTRO’s high standards for safety and quality is further evidence of the excellent care they are well known for. It is a privilege for our efforts to be recognized by the largest radiation oncology society in the world.”
“Receiving the APEx accreditation is a testament to Mount Nittany Health’s commitment to excellence in patient care and safety,” said Veeral Patel, MD, Radiation Oncology, Mount Nittany Health. “With APEx accreditation, we not only evaluate our own standards, but also offer peace of mind to our community members, knowing they have access to top-tier radiation oncology services. It’s a milestone that reinforces our mission to serve with compassion, expertise, and innovation.”
APEx, the fastest-growing radiation oncology practice accreditation program in the United States, is a voluntary, objective, and rigorous multi-step process during which radiation oncology practices are evaluated using consensus-based standards. The practice must demonstrate its safety and quality processes and show that it adheres to patient-centered care by promoting effective communication, coordinated treatments, and strong patient engagement.
“ASTRO commends Mount Nittany Health for achieving APEx accreditation,” said Jeff M. Michalski, MD, MBA, FASTRO, chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors. “By undergoing this comprehensive review, the facility demonstrated their strong commitment to delivering safe, high-quality radiation oncology services to their patients.”
APEx is the only radiation oncology accreditation program that includes a self-assessment, which allows practices to internally assess compliance with quality improvement standards. The practice then proceeds to a facility review by an external surveyor team that includes a radiation oncologist and a medical physicist. The program reflects the recommendations endorsed in the ASTRO publication Safety is No Accident: A Framework for Quality Radiation Oncology and Care. To date, more than 300 U.S. facilities have earned APEx accreditation. Learn more about APEx at astro.org/APEx.