Comparison of Commission on Cancer–Approved and –Nonapproved Hospitals in the United States: Implications for Studies That Use the National Cancer Data Base

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Abstract
Background The Commission on Cancer (CoC) designates cancer programs on the basis of the ability to provide a wide range of oncologic services and specialists. All CoC-approved hospitals are required to report their cancer diagnoses to the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), and the cancer diagnoses at these hospitals account for approximately 70% of all new cancers diagnosed in the United States annually. However, it is unknown how CoC-approved programs compare with non–CoC-approved hospitals. Methods By using the American Hospital Association Annual Survey Database (2006), CoC-approved and non–CoC-approved hospitals were compared with respect to structural characteristics (ie, accreditations, geography, and oncologic services provided). Results Of the 4,850 hospitals identified, 1,412 (29%) were CoC-approved hospitals, and 3,438 (71%) were not CoC-approved hospitals. The proportion of CoC-approved hospitals varied at the state level from 0% in Wyoming to 100% in Delaware. Compared with non–CoC-approved ho...