Dana-Farber Community Cancer Care practices in Lawrence, Quincy, Stoneham, Weymouth honored for quality patient-centered care

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Four Dana-Farber Community Cancer Care (DFCCC) sites in Massachusetts received formal recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for quality of their patient care services. DFCCC locations in Lawrence, Quincy, Stoneham, and Weymouth have been named Patient-Centered Specialty Practices (PCSPs) by NCQA, certifying that they communicate, collaborate and integrate care in ways that improve quality and patient care.

"Achieving this designation reflects DFCCC's commitment to providing a high standard of patient-centered cancer care, as well as our constant efforts to measure and improve that care," said Dr. Michael J. Anderson, Executive Medical Director at DFCCC.

"NCQA Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Recognition distinguishes practices that communicate, collaborate and integrate care in ways that patients want and that improve quality," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "I commend the team at Dana-Farber Community Cancer Care for its achievement, and for its commitment to continuous improvement."

The process of gaining PCSP recognition entails a rigorous internal review of an organization's patient services including physician referrals, communication with staff and patients, management and patient care, and measuring and improving performance. Nearly 150 performance goals are measured and reported.

DFCCC met or exceeded national standards for:

Communicating with primary care physicians to exchange key information and establish coordinated care plans.

Providing timely access to care and clinical advice based on patient need.

Using a systemic approach to track referrals and coordinate care.

Measuring and improving performance over time.

The NCQA was founded in 1990 to foster improvement in the health care system. It provides accreditation, certification, and recognition programs to groups including accountable care organizations, health maintenance organizations, physician networks, medical groups, and health information publishers. It launched the PCSP recognition program in 2013, modeled on a similar program for primary care settings.


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