[Interdisciplinary treatment of oncological patients in certified colorectal cancer centers - networks for patients].

Interdisciplinary treatment of oncological patients in certified colorectal cancer centers - networks for patients The modern, guideline-oriented treatment of colorectal carcinoma requires interdisciplinary and interprofessional cooperation of various disciplines. The certification system of the German Cancer Society is based on a three-stage model, consisting of organ cancer centers, oncological centers and oncological centers of excellence. The result is a network built for the patient, which covers all phases of treatment and care. The certification of an oncology care network documents the treatment quality of all partners involved with the help of key figures and quality indicators. It is audited annually by independent experts as part of an audit. The results contribute to the internal improvement of quality and structure of the center, which makes it possible to benchmark and compare to other certified centers. This article is intended to provide an overview of the historical development and concept of certification as a quality tool and to outline the process and possible benefits.