SHREVEPORT, La. — Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has earned national certification through the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Certification Program, affirming that its North Louisiana locations meet nationally recognized standards for quality cancer care.
The QOPI Certification Program grants a three-year certification to outpatient hematology-oncology practices that satisfy rigorous benchmarks for treatment quality and patient safety.
“When cancer enters someone’s life, they want to ensure that they are receiving the very best care, and our QOPI certification is a testament to this,” said Kim Hicks, administrator for North Louisiana at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Mary Bird Perkins places ensuring treatments are optimized for every patient, along with providing the compassion and support to help ease the way during what can be one of the most challenging times of their life.”
Launched in 2010, the QOPI Certification Program includes more than 300 certified practices. The certification is awarded to practices that score above threshold levels on key quality measures and meet chemotherapy safety standards established by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Oncology Nursing Society. The program expanded internationally in 2016.
“When a practice earns QOPI certification, it demonstrates a strong commitment to delivering safe, high quality cancer care,” said Lynn M. Schuchter, board chair of the association. “For patients, this certification adds confidence that their treatment team continually strives to deliver the best possible care.”
To achieve certification, practices undergo a comprehensive evaluation of clinical operations and documentation standards. Program staff and volunteer committee members conduct an on-site survey, verify compliance and determine whether the practice meets core performance standards.
Mary Bird Perkins operates across Louisiana and southwest Mississippi and provides outpatient oncology services, including chemotherapy and hematology treatment.