ANNAPOLIS, MD. (Fe uary 17, 2014)—AAMC Oncology and Hematology, part of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute, has received reaccreditation 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.
“As oncologists our goal is always to provide the highest levels of care and quality of life for our patients. This certification demonstrates our commitment to excellence in cancer care,” says Dr. Peter Graze, medical oncologist, AAMC Oncology and Hematology.
AAMC Oncology and Hematology first achieved QOPI certification in 2011. In applying for recertification, Annapolis Oncology had to demonstrate its commitment to clinical care excellence, which includes maintaining quality and continued learning. To become certified, practices have to submit to an evaluation of their entire practice and documentation standards. The QOPI staff and steering group members then verify through on-site inspection that the evaluation and documents are correct and that the practices met core standards in all areas of treatment, AAMC Oncology and Hematology is one of six practices in Maryland who have received the inaugural certification since 2006. There are approximately 200 QOPI certified practices nationwide.
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.
AAMC Oncology and Hematology, a group of eight Board Certified Medical Oncologists is a physician practice of the Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute, which encompasses comprehensive services ranging from prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment through survivorship. Many different types of professionals contribute to the care of patients in the institute’s programs. The DeCesaris Cancer Institute values and offers support services for patients and families, including nurse navigation, education, genetics counseling, psychosocial support and nutrition.
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 28,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.Cancer.Net.
About Anne Arundel Medical Center
Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), a regional health system headquartered in Annapolis, Md., serves an area of more than one million people. Founded in 1902, AAMC includes a 425-bed not-for-profit hospital, a medical group, imaging services, a substance use treatment center, and health enterprises. In addition to a 57-acre Annapolis campus, AAMC has outpatient pavilions in Bowie, Kent Island, Odenton, and Waugh Chapel. AAMC is nationally recognized for its joint replacement center, emergency heart attack response and cancer care. A leader in women’s services, AAMC delivers the state’s second highest number of births annually and has a Level 3 NICU. With more than 1,000 medical staff members, 3,900 employees and 750 volunteers, AAMC consistently receives awards for quality, patient satisfaction and innovation. To learn more, visit askAAMC.org.
