Improving quality of care within the NCI Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) network.

Abstract

178 Background: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) was initiated to expand cancer research and deliver quality cancer care in communities. A program goal was support of quality care initiatives. Twenty-one community sites in 16 states participated in the network providing care to approximately 40,000 cancer patients/year. We describe strategies for implementation of a structured quality program within our network. Methods: Four components served as the foundation for quality efforts: 1) increasing multidisciplinary care (MDC) programs; 2) ASCO QOPI participation; 3) Commission on Cancer Rapid Quality Reporting System (RQRS) participation; and 4) expansion of genetic counseling/services. A Quality of Care subcommittee formed to guide quality efforts within the network. Clinicians from the network served as subcommittee leadership and each site designated a quality of care lead. The subcommittee met by teleconference monthly, developed goals, shared best practices, developed processes to accomplish goals and documented improvements in priority areas. Results: Strategies employed to improve quality included: assessment tool development, participation in national quality reporting initiatives, review and monitoring of network data, and network performance improvement projects. Conclusions: The NCCCP identified areas of needed quality improvement. In addition, the network developed implementation strategies and created benchmarks that measure program quality. Participants benefitted from the opportunity to interface with one another and set network goals, while adopting strategies to best fit their own practices and community sites. [Table: see text]