NEHOA Recognized by Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW ENGLAND HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES RECEIVES RECOGNITION FOR CANCER CARE
NEWTON, Mass. (May 2, 2011) – Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s medical oncology partner, New England Hematology/Oncology Associates (NEHOA), 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. NEHOA is one of 66 practices who has currently received the inaugural certification, out of more than 650 oncology practices that have registered in the QOPI program.
“Increasingly educated patients and families demand accountability and the highest standards from cancer care providers,” said Douglas W. Blayney, MD, immediate past president of ASCO. “The QOPI certification will allow oncologists in the community to be at the forefront of cancer care, and to be recognized for their quality. The Certification Program will help 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.”
NEHOA, located at Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s Vernon Cancer Center, is a private practice providing advanced care from highly specialized oncologists. The medical oncology team is led by board certified physicians, complemented by an experienced, specialty nursing team. The entire medical team, made up of hematologists, oncologists, nurse practitioners, oncology nurses, social workers and ancillary staff, use advanced protocols and technology to diagnose and treat cancer. They remain involved in all aspects of patient care – from diagnosis to treatment and during long-term, follow-up care.
The Massachusetts General Hospital Radiation Oncology Program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, also located within the Vernon Cancer Center, works with NEHOA to offer patients access to premier radiation oncology services and expertise. The Radiation Oncology team is led by board certified physicians who treat a broad spectrum of cancer diagnoses and complemented by a specialty team including medical physicists, radiation therapists and oncology nurses. The team utilizes the latest technology and equipment to plan and deliver individually tailored radiation treatment to reduce tumor volume while minimizing effects on non-cancerous tissues.
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.
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.
CONTACT:
Rachel Kagno
Public Affairs & Marketing
Newton-Wellesley Hospital
617-243-6528
rkagno@partners.org
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