In September, Manuel C. Perry, MD, Division Leader for Oncology and Hematology at Crystal Run Healthcare presented an abstract at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Symposium in San Diego, California. The abstract reviewed a new process for mixing and administering chemotherapy in Crystal Run’s infusion center. Prior to this innovation, the Practice trained infusion nurses at each infusion site to mix and administer chemotherapy. Now all drugs are mixed by registered pharmacists in a single location and distributed to each practice site daily. The improved efficiency of the new process decreased time spent by each patient in the infusion suite and improved safety for patients and staff. The improvement was spearheaded by Theresa Dolson, Courtney Welyczko and Gianna Lindros, who also co-authored the abstract.
“Centralized mixing of infusion drugs required more than six months of planning and testing and would have been impossible to achieve without the dedication and commitment of our pharmacists, infusion nurses and physicians,” said Manuel C. Perry, MD, Division Leader for Oncology and Hematology at Crystal Run Healthcare. “We’re proud we achieved our goal and hope to help other practices increase their efficiency through centralized infusion centers.”
Crystal Run Healthcare is a Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) certified practice recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for achieving the highest standards of excellence in oncology care. As one of the first 16 community cancer care facilities in the Country to receive QOPI® Certification, the practice continues to demonstrate its commitment to making a difference in the lives of oncology patients.
The Practice also participates in the Oncology Care Model (OCM) - an alternative payment model created by The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whose goal is to provide higher quality, more highly coordinated oncology care at the same or lower cost to Medicare. Crystal Run’s OCM Program was implemented to facilitate access to care and patient education in an overall effort to improve the patient experience.
In February, Crystal Run was recognized as the ‘Best Cancer Center’ in the River Reporter’s 23rd annual Readers’ Choice Awards.