BMT Program Earns Renewal for Prestigious FACT Accreditation

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 10, 2013) — The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center's Blood and Marrow Transplant Program was recently granted reaacreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).

The BMT Program was accredited for adult allogenieic and autologous, hemtaopoietic progenitor cell transplantation, marrow and peripheral blood cellular therapy product collection, and cellular therapy product processing. The accreditation runs through 2015.

"Achieving FACT accreditation requires the hard work and dedication of all members of the BMT team, including the outpatient clinic, chemo infusion, apheresis, central ambulatory surgery, stem cell processing laboratory, ICU, radiation oncology, and Markey BMT inpatient providers," said Dr. Dianna Howard, hematologist for the UK Markey Cancer Center. "The expert contributions of each member of the team on a daily basis establishes the high quality of care required to maintain this prestigious accreditation."

FACT is the only accrediting organization that addresses all quality aspects of cellular therapy treatments: clinical care, donor management, cell collection, cell processing, cell storage and banking, cell transportation, cell administration, cell selection, and cell release. FACT accreditation is also a factor in the ranking of "America's Best Hospitals," published by U.S. News and World Report. In 2012, UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital was named the No. 1 hospital in the state of Kentucky and earned a 'high performing' designation in 10 speciality areas, including cancer treatment.