Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest and LVH–Muhlenberg received QOPI® certification in 2011 and LVH–Hazleton was certified in 2019, but this is the first QOPI® certification for the entire Cancer Institute.
“This certification is a momentous milestone for Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, as it shows our community the high level of quality cancer care our colleagues provide every day,” says Suresh Nair, MD, Physician in Chief, Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute. “This is a truly proud moment for me, because it could not have been accomplished without the compassion and dedication of our colleagues.”
Organizations that receive this recognition must meet QOPI’s strict national standards and participate in a comprehensive site assessment. QOPI® core standards of treatment include:
- Treatment planning
- Staff training and education
- Chemotherapy orders and drug prescription
- Patient consent and education
- Safe chemotherapy administration
- Monitoring and assessment of patient well-being
To be QOPI® certified, organizations also must meet chemotherapy safety standards established by the Society and the Oncology Nursing Society.
“Practices that choose to become QOPI® certified are demonstrating their commitment to high-quality cancer care,” says Lori J. Pierce, MD, Board Chair, Association for Clinical Oncology. “A practice that achieves this certification is actively taking steps to provide high-quality, equitable cancer care.”
The QOPI® certification program launched in 2010 and is the first program of its kind in the United States. It expanded internationally in 2016, and there are currently more than 300 organizations certified.
