Hematology & Oncology News & Issues (HONI) recently announced that its panel of oncology experts, comprised of members of the publication’s editorial advisory board, had selected Florence R. Wheeler Cancer Center as the HOPE (Hematology & Oncology Practice Excellence) award winning practice in the category of “Clinical Best Practices” among small community practices.
“The Initiative for Hematology & Oncology Practice Excellence (HOPE) targets the intersection between the physician and practice manager of the cancer center, collecting examples of practice excellence from small, medium and large practices throughout the United States to serve as the foundation of benchmarks tailored specifically for the community-based oncologist”, says HONI Editorial Director Larry Coutts. The selection process was the result of a systematic analysis of metrics based on information provided by Florence R. Wheeler Cancer Center on entry submission forms from a blinded balloting process conducted with the HOPE panelists. In evaluating the ballots, one panelist commented, “Such a tough assignment, choosing among so many clearly passionate applications.” “It was an impressive collection of entrants,” Coutts says. “The panelists were entrusted with a difficult task in trying to select the one practice at each level that best characterized excellence.” “Physicians and health care providers while well-skilled in their profession receive little training in the ‘business’ of delivering that care,” Coutts says. “But, increasing interest in pay-for-performance models by payers has created a new kind of pressure on the oncology practice to develop measurable standards of practice.” This focus on balancing good business practices with quality treatment strategies is the focus of HONI’s initiative.
“We are extremely pleased to recognize Florence R. Wheeler Cancer Center as a benchmark practice demonstrating standards of excellence in the ‘Clinical Best Practices’ category,” says Coutts. “Dr. Dean Davis, and the center’s team of professional care providers and administrative staff are commended for their commitment and dedication in balancing economics and quality care. Truly, this practice is an exemplary example, and it is a pleasure to present them as the current models of HOPE in the category of ‘Clinical Best Practices’”.
