Lake Health/University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center (LH/UH Seidman Cancer Center) has been recognized by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The Certification Program for QOPI® certifies oncology practices that meet the highest quality standards in cancer care. The medical oncologists at LH/UH Seidman Cancer Center who have achieved this great designation are Dr. Mark Bergman, Dr. Maria Espinosa, Dr. Joel Saltzman, and Dr. Willem van Heeckeren.
“We’re extremely proud to receive this certification from QOPI and ASCO which underscores our commitment to bringing this high level of quality cancer care to our patients,” said Julie A. Moran, Executive Director of the LH/UH Seidman Cancer Center.
“Cancer patients and their families should expect nothing less than accountability and the highest standards from their cancer care providers,” said Allen S. Lichter, MD, CEO of ASCO and president of the QOPI Certification Program. “QOPI participation reflects a commitment to quality of care that leads to fundamental changes in the clinical practice of oncology. Oncology practices that commit to quality and safety are those that provide the most optimal cancer care. The certification program helps practices determine whether they are providing the best care and treatment possible to their patients and demonstrates a commitment to excellence and ongoing quality improvement in the hematology-oncology outpatient practice.”
QOPI is a voluntary program of self-assessment and improvement, started in 2006 by ASCO to enhance medical oncology and hematology-oncology practices. The goal is to assess the quality of care patients receive. Over 700 oncology practices have joined with QOPI, with fewer than 100 achieving certification.
The QOPI Certification Program (QCP) started in early 2010. This certification is the first of its kind for outpatient oncology practices in the United States. Oncologists can earn certification by using the highest standards of care when practicing. The QCP seal is awarded to practices that not only scored high on measures of QOPI quality, but also met the rigorous standards of safety put in place by ASCO. LH/UH Seidman Cancer Center is the second practice in Ohio to be honored with this certification.
QOPI reviews the data of each practice that is part of the program and compares it to over 100 different evidence-based measures of quality. The results are then complied into reports that are given to practices in the program. Individual practices have the opportunity to compare their performance data side by side with other practices’ data. Using these results, doctors can determine areas in need of improvement.
In order to earn certification, practices are required to produce and submit an evaluation of their whole practice. The staff of the QCP and steering members of the group then check that the evaluation and documents are valid and accurate as well as that core standards were met in all areas of treatment, including:
- Planning of treatment
- Training and education of staff
- Chemotherapy orders and preparation of drugs
- Education and consent of patient
- Safe administering of chemotherapy
- Assessment and monitoring of patient well-being
The QOPI program provides certification for three years for hematology-oncology practices that meet the standards established by the program for quality in cancer care.
About ASCO
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is a global leading professional organization with almost 30,000 participating oncologists. ASCO is dedicated to enhancing the level of care received by cancer patients through scientific meetings, continuing education and journals reviewed by peers. For more information on the ASCO, visit www.asco.org.