HOA Achieves Certification through ASCO’s Patient-Centered Cancer Care Pilot

Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA) has achieved certification through the Association for Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) Patient-Centered Cancer Care Certification pilot based on our adherence to oncology medical home (OMH) standards, which are a single set of comprehensive, expert-backed standards for patient-centered care delivery. We are among just nine oncology group practices in the United States achieving this designation by meeting rigorous, expert-backed oncology medical home standards. Throughout the following year we will continue quality assessment and improvement efforts.

Published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), these standards focus on seven different domains of cancer care:

  • patient engagement;
  • availability and access to care;
  • evidence-based medicine;
  • equitable and comprehensive team-based care;
  • quality improvement;
  • goals of care, palliative and end-of-life care discussions;
  • and chemotherapy safety.

“We are dedicated to providing the highest quality cancer care through this prestigious certification,” said Chief Clinical Officer, Jennifer Pichoske, MS. “We will continue to succeed in a value-based, high-quality system delivering evidenced–based care which translates to a stronger foundation for providing cancer care in the CNY community””

Patient centered care is at the heart of our goal to offer the highest level, state of the art technology and treatments, while meeting the emotional needs of our patients and their families.”

The pilot includes 88 cancer care sites and nearly 500 oncologists from 12 participating practice groups and health systems in a variety of settings. HOA’s three locations are part of the pilot program.

The Path to Improved Patient-Centered Care

Beginning in July 2021, HOA, along with 11 other practices in the United States, prepared for surveyors to conduct site visits to performance relative to each OMH standard of care. With guidance from surveyors, HOA then undertook intensive practice transformation, including the development of new and/or improved workflow processes, staff education and training on the new initiatives, and compliance data monitoring to demonstrate success at meeting the standards. To achieve certification, practices needed to meet a total of 17 care delivery standards and 22 chemotherapy safety standards, for a total of 39 standards.

HOA will continue to work with surveyors to review quality improvement initiatives, patient satisfaction surveys, and oncology clinical pathways utilization, as well as data on quality measures, such as advance care planning, depression screening, chemotherapy in the last 14 days of life, and pain assessment to maintain certification and demonstrate its continued commitment to providing high-quality cancer care.

“We commend all of the certified practices for their achievement and dedication to transforming their practice. By doing the work to meet these standards and achieve certification, these practices are better equipped to succeed in a value-based system and deliver high-quality, equitable, evidence-based care for every single patient,” Lori J. Pierce, MD, FASTRO, FASCO, Chair of the Board of the Association for Clinical Oncology.

The pilot is slated to end in summer 2023. Over the next year, HOA will continue to work on quality assessment and improvement activities to maintain their certification.

About Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY

HOA is a private, community cancer center established in 1982 with a vision to serve the community by providing the highest level of quality care to patients dealing with cancer and blood disorders. With locations in Auburn, Camillus, East Syracuse and Syracuse, HOA continues that vision with a multi-faceted team dedicated to holistic, patient-centered care. HOA also is the only cancer practice in CNY Certified for Quality by The American Society of Clinical Oncology, and one of only nine practices in the country certified for patient centered care as an oncology medical home. For more information, visit hoacny.com.