Practice News
VCS Receives Recognition for Cancer Care from Prestigious National Oncology Organization
Fairfax, Va. (Mar. 1, 2011)– Virginia Cancer Specialists has become one of the first oncology practices in the nation to be recognized by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The QOPI® Certification Program is a new initiative to certify oncology practices that meet rigorous standards for high-quality cancer care.
“We have raised the bar for cancer care in northern Virginia,” said Gregory Orloff, president of Virginia Cancer Specialists, “This certification from ASCO and QOPI underscores our commitment to excellence for our patients and we are extremely proud to be among the first to receive this recognition.”
“Having a national certification program that acknowledges the highest standards of cancer care delivery is a major milestone for health care in America,” said Douglas W. Blayney, MD ASCO Immediate Past President. “Not only should this community oncology practice feel tremendous pride in its QOPI certification, but its patients can be confident in the quality of care they are receiving.”
QOPI is a voluntary, self-assessment and improvement program launched by ASCO in 2006 to help hematology-oncology and medical oncology practices assess the quality of the care they provide to patients. Through the QOPI program, practices abstract data from patients’ records up to twice per year and enter this information into a secure database. Virginia Cancer Specialists is one of 59 who has currently received the inaugural certification. More than 650 oncology practices have registered in the QOPI program.
QOPI analyzes individual practice data and compares these to more than 80 evidence-based and consensus quality measures. The information is then provided in reports to participating practices. 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 provides a three-year certification for outpatient hematology-oncology practices that meet standards for quality cancer care.
About Virginia Cancer Specialists
For more than 30 years, Virginia Cancer Specialists (VCS) has contributed to the campaign against cancer and diseases of the blood. VCS has nine locations throughout Northern Virginiastaffed by highly-skilled physicians, each promising exceptional care. This care consists of advancements in early detection, treatment, and clinical trials. Offering emotional as well as physical support, VCS is home to the world’s most advanced cancer treatment capabilities. By illustrating the outpatient emphasis of cancer treatment, VCS allows physicians and patients to create an individual plan in a familiar setting.
About ASCO:
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With nearly 30,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visitwww.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available atwww.Cancer.Net.
Media Contact:
Natalie Mellon
Virginia Cancer Specialists
(703) 638-8619
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