The American Society of Clinical Oncology Awards Quality Certification to Mount Sinai’s GI Medical Oncology Program at The Tisch Cancer Institute
New York (PRWEB) October 30, 2013 -- The American Society of Clinical Oncology has awarded its Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) certification to gastrointestinal medical oncologists at The Tisch Cancer Center at Mount Sinai.
“We are exceedingly proud to have attained QOPI certification,” said Randall F. Holcombe, MD, Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine and Director of Clinical Cancer Affairs at Mount Sinai. “The certification underscores our deep commitment to ensuring the best possible care and experience for all of our patients, and demonstrates ASCO’s recognition of the high-quality of cancer care we provide.” Dr. Holcombe also serves as Medical Director of the Ruttenberg Treatment Center at The Mount Sinai Hospital and Director of GI Medical Oncology and Deputy Director for The Tisch Cancer Institute.
QOPI certification signifies that an oncology practice has met core standards in a variety of areas that affect the quality of patient care. Quality reviewers conduct a rigorous evaluation of several aspects of treatment, including treatment planning, staff training and education, chemotherapy orders and drug preparation, patient consent and education, safe chemotherapy administration, and monitoring and assessment of patient well-being.
“QOPI is designed by clinical experts in oncology to give practices the ability to continuously improve the quality of care they provide,” said ASCO President Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP. “The QOPI Certification Program helps practices determine whether they are providing the best possible treatment and care to their patients, and offers insight into their commitment to excellence and lifelong learning.”
The QOPI Certification Program (QCP) was launched in January 2010, with only 200 practices currently certified nationwide. This certification for outpatient oncology practices is the first program of its kind for oncology in the United States. Oncologists 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).
“Recognition by QOPI highlights the patient-centered and collaborative approach to care offered by physicians, nurses, and other staff members throughout The Tisch Cancer Institute,” said Holcombe. “It represents a first step toward achieving this prestigious certification across all of our oncology practice areas.”
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 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 http://www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at http://www.cancer.net.
About The Tisch Cancer Institute
The Tisch Cancer Institute builds upon Mount Sinai’s history of medical breakthroughs to offer new hope for those living with or at risk for cancer. Tisch scientists are investigating the mechanisms behind the differentiation and growth of cancer cells and working to move discoveries quickly into therapeutic treatments. Institute members span across multiple departments in the medical center and work in multidisciplinary research programs. In order to facilitate clinical research, the Tisch Cancer Institute provides oversight of all clinical trials. Tisch clinicians provide multidisciplinary care including medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology, as well as a full range of diagnostic and supportive care services.
About the Ruttenberg Treatment Center
The Derald H. Ruttenberg Treatment Center, part of The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai, provides comprehensive outpatient care for patients with cancer and benign hematologic conditions. Occupying two full floors in Mount Sinai’s state-of-the-art building, the Leon and Norma Hess Center for Science and Medicine, the Ruttenberg Center has a long history of excellence in the treatment of cancer. Currently, the Center has the following specialists on site: medical oncologists, hematologists, otolaryngologists, gynecologic oncologists, surgical oncologists, thoracic surgeons, endocrine neoplasia experts, supportive oncology, onco-cardiologists and radiation oncologists.
About the Mount Sinai Health System
The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research, and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven member hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient services—from community-based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care.
The System includes approximately 6,600 primary and specialty care physicians, 12-minority-owned free-standing ambulatory surgery centers, over 45 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, as well as 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the top 20 medical schools both in National Institutes of Health funding and by U.S. News & World Report.
For more information, visit Mount Sinai on the web, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.
Mount Sinai Press Office, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, http://icahn.mssm.edu/, +1 (212) 241-9200, [email protected]
Share this article