Pluta Cancer Center Receives Formal Recognition for Cancer Care from Largest Oncology Society in the United States

Pluta 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 QOPI® Certification Program provides a three-year certification for outpatient hematology-oncology practices that meet the highest standards for quality cancer care.

Oncologists can achieve this recognition by demonstrating practice consistent with the highest standards of care. The certification designates those practices that not only score high on the key QOPI quality measures, but meet rigorous safety measures established by ASCO and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). 

“We are extremely proud to receive this certification,” said Pluta Cancer Center President and CEO Kelly McCormick-Sullivan. “It underscores the leading-edge, compassionate, personalized care Pluta Cancer Center provides.”

“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 treatment and care possible to their patients, and demonstrates a commitment to excellence and ongoing quality improvement in the hematology-oncology outpatient practice.”

To become certified, practices have to submit to an evaluation of their entire practice and documentation standards and meet core standards in all areas of treatment, including:

·        treatment planning

·        staff training and education

·        chemotherapy orders and drug preparation

·        patient consent and education

·        safe chemotherapy administration

·        monitoring and assessment of patient well-being

QOPI analyzes individual practice data and compares these to more than 100 evidence-based and consensus quality measures. Individual practices are also able to compare their performance to data from other practices across the country. Based on this feedback, doctors and practices can identify areas for improvement.  

The QOPI Certification Program was launched in January 2010. This program is the first of its kind for oncology in the United States. Pluta Cancer Center is one of 66 practices in the world that have this certification.