St. Paul, MN – Minnesota Oncology has received re-certification by the QOPI® Certification Program (QCP™), an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO®). QCP™ builds on ASCO’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®), providing a three-year certification for outpatient hematology-oncology practices that meet nationally recognized standards for quality cancer care.

“We’re extremely proud to receive this certification from ASCO and QCP,” said Dean Gesme, MD, president of Minnesota Oncology. “This recertification shows that we remain dedicated to providing the highest possible standard of care to our patients.”

“Maintaining this certification is a continuous improvement effort that could not be achieved without the tireless work of both our clinical and administrative staff,” Gesme added. “During the on-site surveys at Fridley, Maplewood, and Woodbury, our employees were repeatedly complimented for their breadth of knowledge and commitment to quality and safety practices.”

Minnesota Oncology first achieved certification in December 2014. In applying for re-certification, Minnesota Oncology participated in a voluntary comprehensive site assessment against clearly specified standards that are consistent with national guidelines and was successful in meeting the standards and objectives of QCP™.

“ASCO’s QOPI Certification demonstrates an oncology practice’s dedication to providing high-quality care to patients with cancer,” said ASCO President Bruce E. Johnson, MD, FASCO. “The certification process is rigorous and by successfully completing it, providers put into practice their commitment to quality and safety excellence and continuous optimization of their processes.”

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. More than 900 oncology practices have registered for the QOPI® program.

The QOPI® Certification Program was launched in January 2010, and more than 290 practices are currently certified. This certification for outpatient oncology practices is the first program of its kind for oncology in the United States, and in 2016 the program was expanded internationally. The QCP™ seal designates those practices that not only scored above the threshold on the key QOPI® quality measures, but met chemotherapy safety standards established by ASCO and the Oncology Nursing Society.

QOPI® analyzes individual practice data and compares these to more than 160 evidence-based and consensus quality measures. The information is then provided in reports to participating practices. Individual practices also are 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.

To become QOPI® Certified, practices have to submit to an evaluation of their entire practice and documentation standards. The QCP™ staff and task force members then verify through an on-site survey that the evaluation and documents are correct and that the practices met core standards in areas of treatment, including:

• Creating a safe environment—staffing, competencies, and general policy
• Treatment planning, patient consent, and education
• Ordering, preparing, dispensing, and administering chemotherapy
• Monitoring after chemotherapy is administered, including adherence, toxicity, and complications
• 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.

QOPI® and the QCP™ are projects dedicated to innovative quality improvement programs. For more information, please visit: http://www.instituteforquality.org/qopi-qcp.

About Minnesota Oncology

Minnesota Oncology is a group of more than 90 oncology and hematology specialists dedicated solely to the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers—lung, breast, gynecological, colorectal, prostate and others—as well as many blood disorders. It has 12 locations across the Twin Cities metropolitan area and is the largest independent oncology practice in the region. The practice has a history of innovation—bringing a community-based, integrated cancer care model and dedication to continuing advancements in the treatment of cancer. Minnesota Oncology patients have access to specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery and hematology. Minnesota Oncology’s full circle of care includes access to assistance such as social work and patient advocacy, nutrition therapy, patient benefit representatives, educational classes, support groups, nurse navigators, advance care planning, palliative care, and a survivorship program. For more information please visit mnoncology.com. 

About ASCO

Founded in 1964, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO®) is committed to making a world of difference in cancer care. As the world’s leading organization of its kind, ASCO represents more than 40,000 oncology professionals who care for people living with cancer. Through research, education, and promotion of the highest-quality patient care, ASCO works to conquer cancer and create a world where cancer is prevented or cured, and every survivor is healthy. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation. Learn more at www.ASCO.org, explore patient education resources at www.Cancer.Net, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About QOPI Certification Program LLC

QOPI Certification Program LLC is an ASCO affiliate dedicated to recognizing exemplary commitment to safety and quality in oncology patient care. Practices that have achieved QOPI® Certification have scored well on key QOPI® quality measures and have met chemotherapy safety standards established by ASCO and the Oncology Nursing Society in various areas of treatment and chemotherapy safety.