Pioneering Quality Assessment in European Cancer Centers: A Data Analysis of the Organization for European Cancer Institutes Accreditation and Designation Program

Abstract

Purpose: In order to improve the quality of care in Cancer Centers (CC) and designate Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs), the Organization for European Cancer Institutes (OECI) launched an Accreditation and Designation (A&D) program. The program facilitates the collection of defined data and the assessment of cancer center quality. This study analyzes the results of the first 10 European centers that entered the program. Methods:The assessment included 927 items divided across qualitative and quantitative questionnaires. Data collected during self-assessment and peer-review from the 10 first participating centers were combined in a database for comparative analysis using simple statistics. Quantitative and qualitative results were validated by auditors during the peer review visits. Results: Volumes of various functions and activities dedicatedto care, research, and education varied widely among centers. There were no significant differences in resources for radiology, radiotherapy, pathologic diagnostic, and surgery. Differences were observed in the use of clinical pathways but not for the practices of holding multidisciplinary team meetings and conforming to guidelines. Regarding human resources, main differences were in the composition and number of supportive care and research staff. All 10 centers applied as CCCs; five obtained the label, and five were designated as CCs. Conclusion:The OECI A&D program allows comparisons between centers with regard to management, research, care, education, and designation as CCs or CCCs. Through the peer review system, recommendations for improvements are given. Assessing the added value of the program, as well as research and patient treatment outcomes, is the next step.

Prostate Cancer Unit Initiative in Europe: A position paper by the European School of Oncology

“…The aim of the discussion was to evaluate the applicability of the criteria in routine clinical practice and in the different health contexts of all European countries, to reach an agreement on them and to set up a system for the definition, development and organization of PCU based on OECI standards and methodology [36] showing medium-high quality system for cancer care.…”

Specialized teams or specialist networks for rare cancers?

“…In the first instance we need to define what a referral center is; according to the European Cancer Institutes Accreditation and Designation Program, the main feature of a reference institution, besides surgical expertise, is to have a high enough "volume" to certify medical expertise, technical adequacy and access to clinical trials. 7 However, there is no evidence to support this statement. The pattern of referral of rare cancer patients, as well as their management, varies substantially across the EU; to what extent centralization is in place across the EU still needs to be clarified, where national or regional health systems differ substantially.…”

Staff perceptions of change resulting from participation in a European cancer accreditation programme: a snapshot from eight cancer centres

“…Our study looks at staff perceptions on changes (from eight European cancer centres) resulting from their participation in a European cancer accreditation and designation programme developed by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI). Previously, we published an article on the quantitative data gathered by this programme [ 5 ]. Here, we present staff perceptions of perceived changes in their cancer centres brought about by the implementation of the qualitative standards.…”