Implementation of QOPI at Illinois CancerCare, P.C. (ILCC).

Abstract

174 Background: ASCO’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) is a practice based quality improvement program based on retrospective chart reviews. Data collection is performed twice a year. If scores meet a specified level, a practice may apply for certification. In order to achieve certification, a physician practice must meet minimum threshold scores in five areas including: Core, Symptom/Toxicity, Care at End of Life, Breast Cancer, Colon/Rectal Cancer and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. A QOPI on-site review is conducted after application. Once the application has been approved, the on-site review includes an audit of chemotherapy preparation and administration, patient education, treatment planning and the review of applicable policies. If acceptable, a 3 year certification is awarded to the practice. Methods: ILCC began QOPI participation in Fall 2011. For the first round, the scores were lower than the required minimum threshold certification score level requirements. The certification areas with lower than desirable scores included: Pain Score Assessed, Emotional Well Being Assessed and Colonoscopy within specified time frame. To improve scores, a committee was formed to identify improvements. Improvements included revising physician templates to include new areas and language. Physicians were also given the appropriate verbiage for assessing a patient’s Emotional Well Being, and employees also were engaged in our improvement efforts by addressing areas that needed to be asked in the first and second visits only. Results: All selected measures show improvement from Fall of 2011 to Spring of 2013. Pain addressed appropriately increased 59% (26% to 80%); patient emotional well being assessed increased 32% (19% to 51%), colonoscopy before or within 6 months of curative colorectal resection improved 35% (50%-86%). Our total certification score went from 72.05% to 87.99%, a 15% improvement. We applied for certification and became a QOPI certified practice in fall of 2012. Conclusions: QOPI is an effective program for evidence based quality improvement within oncology practices.