Hospitals accredited by the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) demonstrate lower mortality and complication rates in patients undergoing proctectomy compared with nonaccredited hospitals, according to a recent study published by Harbaugh et al in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. In the recent study, investigators analyzed the outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries who underwent proctectomy between 2017 and 2020. They discovered that compared with those treated at nonaccredited hospitals, the patients who underwent proctectomy at NAPRC-accredited hospitals experienced lower rates of in-hospital mortality (1.1% vs 1.3%), 30-day mortality (2.1% vs 2.9%), 30-day complications (18.3% vs 19.4%), and 1-year mortality (11.0% vs 12.1%). Despite the benefits, just 3.3% (n = 65 of 1,985) of the hospitals included in the study were accredited by NAPRC. However, the accredited centers were able to treat a larger proportion of patients; for instance, among 20,202 patients, over 10% (n = 2,078) of them underwent proctectomy at an NAPRC-accredited hospital. The investigators noted that NAPRC accreditation may improve outcomes and safety because of its emphasis on multidisciplinary care and stringent process standards (including comprehensive pre- and postoperative assessments to ensure a higher quality of care), meticulous reviews, and adherence to structured treatment protocols. They hope to extend the scope of their future studies beyond 1-year survival rates to examine long-term oncologic outcomes and provide more comprehensive insights into the longevity and quality of life in this patient population. The study authors concluded: “The accreditation process … holds the potential to elevate the standard of care and reduce morbidity and mortality associated with rectal cancer surgery.”