Mount Sinai’s Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology practice 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 3-year certification for outpatient hematology-oncology practices that meet the highest standards for quality cancer care.

QOPI certification signifies that an outpatient oncology practice has met core standards in a variety of areas that affect the quality of patient care, including staff training and education, chemotherapy orders and drug preparation, patient consent and education, safe chemotherapy administration, and monitoring and assessment of patient well-being. Mount Sinai is the first site in Manhattan to receive QOPI-certification.

“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, Director of GI Medical Oncology and Deputy Director for The Tisch Cancer Institute.

The QOPI Certification Program (QCP) was launched in January 2010, with only 200 practices currently certified nationwide.  Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center is the first, and only, QOPI certified site in Manhattan. This certification for outpatient oncology practices is the first program of its kind for oncology in the United States.

“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.”

“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 Dr. Holcombe. “It represents a first step toward achieving this prestigious certification across all of our oncology practice areas.”