Arizona Oncology Clinic Location in Northwest Tucson Earns Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification
TUCSON, Ariz. (December 2, 2014)— Arizona Oncology, a practice in The US Oncology Network, is pleased to announce that its clinic location in northwest Tucson 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. In addition to the clinic located on Rudasill Road in Tucson, other Arizona Oncology clinics currently pursuing QOPI certification include the Biltmore Cancer Center in Phoenix and the Saguaro Cancer Center in Glendale.
“This is a great honor to be among the elite few in Arizona to receive this prestigious certification from ASCO and QOPI. The certification underscores our commitment to provide the best care possible to our patients,” said Rachel Swart, MD, hematologist and medical oncologist at the northwest clinic in Tucson.
“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.”
The QOPI Certification Program (QCP) was launched in January 2010. Oncologists can achieve certification by demonstrating practice consistent with the highest standards of care.
To become certified, practices have to submit to an evaluation of their entire practice and documentation standards. The QCP staff and steering group members then verify that the evaluation and documents are correct and that the 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
To learn more about Arizona Oncology and the QOPI Certification, visit ArizonaOncology.com or call 1.855.784.HOPE (4673).
About Arizona Oncology
Arizona Oncology is one of the largest medical groups in Arizona, with more than 60 practicing physicians devoted exclusively to the most comprehensive, compassionate and quality cancer care to patients in several communities throughout the state, including: Chandler, Cottonwood, Deer Valley, Flagstaff, Glendale, Green Valley, Nogales, Oro Valley, Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Safford, Scottsdale, Sedona, and Tucson. Arizona Oncology believes it is beneficial to provide cancer therapies in a community setting, close to patients' homes and support systems. The physicians are supported by a talented clinical team sensitive to the needs of cancer patients and their caregivers. For more information, visit ArizonaOncology.com.
Arizona Oncology is united in healing with The US Oncology Network, one of the nation’s largest networks of integrated community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. As an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, Arizona Oncology is united with nearly 1,000 physicians nationwide. Arizona Oncology participates in clinical trials through US Oncology Research, which has played a role in 50 FDA-approved cancer therapies, nearly one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.
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 www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.cancer.net.