Local Comprehensive Cancer Group is First and Only Facility In California to Receive Top Honors in Cancer Care, Hematology and Radiation Therapy
Epic Care – Partners in Cancer Care, has achieved certification through the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), for excellence in cancer care. This physician-owned practice is now the first and only facility in California to be both QOPI® certified for Medical Oncology and accredited in Radiation Oncology by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Both programs provide a three-year certification for select practices that meet the highest standards for quality cancer care, with ongoing measurements of quality and focus on excellence
“This achievement proves how dedicated our entire team is to providing the best possible treatment for every patient who walks through our doors,” says Jeffrey Cronk, MD, and Board Certified Medical Oncologist and Hematologist who spearheaded the approval process at Epic Care. “These are more than just coveted seals and plaques that hang on our walls. This commendation is a guarantee that every patient is, and always will be, provided state-of-the-art modalities of treatment in a safe and accountable environment at each of our East Bay Care Centers.”
Bimal Patel, MD, Managing Partner at Epic Care, says, “This accolade is proof of our vow to offer patients comprehensive cancer care without sacrificing the compassion and exactness we insist our physicians possess.” Dr. Patel explains, “We want to set the care standards in our community, not just meet them.”
“Cancer patients and their families should expect nothing less than accountability and the highest level from their cancer care providers,” says 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.”
“This is not an overnight process,” Dr. Cronk explains. “Our entire Cancer program is continuously evaluated on core standards including treatment planning, chemotherapy preparation and administration, and of course patient safety.”
“We pride ourselves on providing compassionate, inclusive cancer care, using proven state-of-the-art treatments across the spectrum,” explains K. Kenneth Chao, MD, Board Certified Radiation Oncologist and task force lead in Epic Care’s ACR accreditation process. “These programs give our patients the peace of mind that they are receiving superior cancer care and recognize the quality and hard work of our team.”
QOPI is a voluntary, self-assessment and improvement program launched by ASCO in 2006 to help hematology-oncology and medical oncology practices assess by comparison the quality of the care they provide to patients. The QOPI Certification Program (QCP) was launched in 2010 with the first 16 practices certified just six months later, and the program reached a milestone of more than 100 certified practices in just under two years. This certification 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 practices that not only score high on the key QOPI quality measures, but also meet rigorous safety measures established by ASCO and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS).
ACR accreditation is widely recognized as the gold standard in the measure of quality care in the field of radiation oncology. The ACR seal of accreditation is awarded only to facilities meeting specific National Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a rigorous peer-review evaluation by Board Certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Patient care, safety and outcome, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The ACR Committee on Radiation Oncology Accreditation then reviews the findings and decides whether to grant accreditation. These accredited facilities are expected to continue to uphold high quality standards to maintain their accreditation.
About The 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.
About The American College of Radiology (ACR):
The American College of Radiology is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.
