Joe Arrington Cancer Research & Treatment Center Earns FACT Re-Accreditation

The Covenant Health Joe Arrington Cancer Research & Treatment Center (JACC) has received internationally recognized accreditation by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. 

FACT is an internationally recognized accrediting body for hospitals and medical institutions offering stem cell transplant and indicates the accredited institution has met the most rigorous standards in every aspect of stem cell therapy.  This covers the entire spectrum of stem cell therapy, from clinical care to donor management, cell collection, processing, storage, transportation, administration, and cell release.

“This accreditation ensures cellular therapy programs provide safe quality services in a dynamic evolving healthcare field,” said Shelly Biggs, executive director of Joe Arrington Cancer Research & Treatment Center. “This increases patient confidence in the care they are receiving and is a source of pride and accomplishment for providers and caregivers. At Covenant Health, we continue to dedicate our expertise to patients of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico with our cancer experts.”

JACC is the only cancer institute in the region providing stem cell transplant therapy. Covenant’s Cellular Therapy Program performed its first hematopoietic (blood) stem cell transplant in 2007 and was awarded initial FACT Accreditation in 2012. The program has been awarded re-accreditation with all subsequent inspections with the most recent being received October 2023. Stem cell transplants are performed at Covenant Medical Center.

By demonstrating compliance with the FACT-JACIE International Standards for Cellular Therapy Product Collection, Processing and Administration, JACC has earned FACT Accreditation for adult autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

FACT-JACIE Standards are defined by leading experts based on the latest knowledge of the field of cellular therapy transplantation. JACC been found in compliance with these rigorous Standards as well as governmental regulations.

Accreditation is attained through evaluation of submitted documentation and on-site inspection to determine if an organization is in compliance with current FACT standards and the United States Food and Drug Administration’s current rules for Good Tissue Practice.  FACT Standards are defined by leading experts based on the latest knowledge of the field of cellular therapy.