Two SSM Cancer Care medical oncology physician practices receive recognition from the largest oncology society in United States

SSM Cancer Care medical oncology physician practices at SSM St. Joseph Hospital West and SSM St. Joseph Medical Park have been recognized by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) certification program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). QOPI certifies oncology practices that meet the highest quality standards for cancer care.

“Not only are we thrilled to receive this national honor, but we are proud to announce that SSM Cancer Care physician practices are the first in St. Louis and just the second in Missouri to be QOPI certified,” said Gaspare Calvaruso, president of SSM St. Joseph Health Center and service line executive for SSM Cancer Care. “This certification underscores our commitment to excellence for our patients.”  

To become certified, SSM Cancer Care physician practices at St. Joseph Hospital West and St. Joseph Medical Park submitted an evaluation of their entire practice and documentation standards. The QOPI certification staff and steering group verified through on-site inspection that SSM Cancer Care practices met 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

“Oncology practices that are committed to quality and safety are those that provide the most optimal cancer care,” said ASCO President Sandra M. Swain, MD, FACP. “ASCO’s quality programs are designed by leaders in the profession and give practices the ability to continuously improve the quality of care they provide. The QOPI 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.”

The QOPI Certification Program (QCP), which provides a three-year certification for outpatient hematology-oncology practices, was launched in January 2010, with more than 150 practices already certified. This certification for outpatient oncology practices is the first program of its kind for oncology in the United States. Oncologists can achieve certification by demonstrating practice consistent with the highest standards of care. The QCP seal designates those practices that not only scored high on the key QOPI quality measures, but meet rigorous safety measures established by ASCO and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS).

QOPI analyzes individual practice data and compares these to more than 100 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.  

About SSM Cancer Care
A service of SSM Health Care – St. Louis, SSM Cancer Care provides inpatient and outpatient cancer care services at physician offices and six hospital locations across St. Louis and St. Charles counties. It offers highly-trained doctors and state-of-the-art technology for treating a variety of cancers and includes patient-focused diagnosis, consultation and treatment, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, support services (nutrition counseling, social services and physical therapy), early detection screenings and support groups. SSM Cancer Care is accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons as offering a comprehensive program designed to treat the entire person ―physically, emotionally and spiritually ― as well as the needs of patients’ families. For more information, go to www.ssmhealth.com/cancer. 

About American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 30,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation, which funds ground-breaking research and programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of people with cancer. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.cancer.net.