Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute Recertified for High-Quality Cancer Care from the Largest Oncology Association in United States
August 31, 2023
BATON ROUGE—Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute has received recertification by the QOPI® Certification Program, LLC. This is a three-year certification for outpatient hematology-oncology practices that meet nationally recognized standards for quality cancer care.
The Association for Clinical Oncology (The Association) is the largest oncology association in the United States and awards the QOPI certification.
"Receiving re-certification from the Association is a testament to Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute’s commitment to high-quality cancer care,” said Chuck Spicer, president of Our Lady of the Lake Health. “We continue to be a regional destination for cancer care, with the most advanced technology and services provided by a dedicated team of nationally recognized oncology experts. Certifications like this demonstrate that we will stop at nothing to ensure the highest standard of care for every patient.”
Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute first achieved certification in 2019. In applying for re-certification, Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute participated in a voluntary comprehensive site assessment against clearly specified standards that are consistent with national guidelines and was successful in meeting the standards and objectives of the QOPI® Certification Program.
“Practices that choose to become QOPI certified are demonstrating their commitment to high-quality cancer care,” said Board Chair of the Association Lori J. Pierce, MD, FASTRO, FASCO. “A practice that achieves this certification is actively taking steps to provide high-quality, equitable cancer care.”
The standards and objectives of the QOPI® Certification Program include scoring above the threshold on the key QOPI® quality measures and meeting chemotherapy safety standards established by the Society and the Oncology Nursing Society.
To become QOPI® Certified, practices submit to an evaluation of their entire practice and documentation standards. QOPI® Certification Program staff and volunteer committee members conduct an on-site survey, verify that the evaluation and documents are correct, and determine if practices meet core standards in the following areas of treatment:
1. Creating a safe environment — staffing, competencies and general policy
2. Treatment planning, patient consent and education
3. Ordering, preparing, dispensing and administering chemotherapy
4. Monitoring after chemotherapy is administered, including adherence, toxicity and complications
5. Treatment planning
6. Staff training and education
7. Chemotherapy orders and drug preparation
8. Patient consent and education
9. Safe chemotherapy administration
10. Monitoring and assessment of patient well-being
About Our Lady of the Lake Health
Our Lady of the Lake Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with more than 7,500 employees committed to serving the Capital Region and building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. With an 800-bed Regional Medical Center, a dedicated Children’s Hospital, a 78-bed hospital in Gonzales, Louisiana, two freestanding emergency rooms in outlying parishes, and a 600+ provider Physician Group, Our Lady of the Lake Health provides comprehensive healthcare services for common to complex conditions. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is a primary teaching site for graduate medical education programs in partnership with LSU, and is recognized in the areas of heart and vascular, trauma and emergency care, stroke, cancer care, minimally invasive procedures, and more. Our Lady of the Lake is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit ololrmc.com.
