For Patients & Families

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute continually strives to improve the quality of patient care by keeping the patient and his or her cancer journey as our primary focus. We use innovative methods for educating patients and staff, creating new technologies, and improving clinical quality and efficiency.

Below are some examples of our leadership in providing a patient experience that is safe, of the highest quality, and always getting better.

Medication Management

Dana-Farber actively utilizes more than 900 clinical trials, as well as thousands of other medications for the treatment of cancer. Safely managing those medications for our patients and staff is a priority within the organization.

Flu Vaccination Program

In 2013, more than 99 percent of Dana-Farber staff received a flu vaccine, giving the Institute the highest vaccination rate in 2013 for Massachusetts hospitals. Find out how Dana-Farber is using a universal vaccination requirement to keep our patients and staff safe.

Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI)

Dana-Farber has earned certification from the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) for its adult care in the Longwood Medical Area and for its satellite centers. This international quality assessment and improvement program for outpatient hematology-oncology practices has the goal of creating a culture of self-examination and improvement.

Dana-Farber Pathways

Through Dana-Farber Pathways, we apply lessons from our own practice and from evidence-based medicine. Each patient's treatment pathway is designed to most effectively treat his or her disease, yet achieve consistency across treatment centers.

Real Time Locating System (RTLS)

Dana-Farber uses a Real Time Locating System (RTLS) to better manage the flow of patients in our clinics. This system uses sensors as well as small badges worn by both patients and staff members.

Patients are asked to wear a badge that helps us follow their progress during visits. The badge uses technology that sends signals to sensors throughout the Yawkey Center to provide accurate, up-to-date information to locate patients during their appointments and track who they have seen in the clinic.

Quality Innovation Leadership Team (QILT) and the Center for Cancer Quality and Innovation (CCQI)

The Dana-Farber Quality Innovation Leadership Team (QILT) includes clinicians from disease centers and departments who develop and lead improvement efforts across the Institute and with collaborating partners. QILT serves as a hub for quality-related projects, and a forum to develop, test, implement, and share disease center and department-specific improvements.

Under the guidance of QILT, the Center for Cancer Quality and Innovation (CCQI) focuses on leading the transformation of cancer care delivery. The CCQI includes staff with backgrounds in engineering, finance, nursing, medicine, and administration. Process improvement is led by a team of three industrial engineers who utilize quantitative methods to identify root causes of problems, and propose solutions to clinical and operational issues. The Center provides training and coaching throughout the organization, fostering a culture that involves all staff in improving care quality.