For the third time, the medical center receives certification from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Dr. Fernando Cabanillas, physician, scientist, cancer researcher and director of the Cancer Center Help. Photo: archive of the Medicine and Public Health Magazine.
Recently, the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital Cancer Center renewed for the third time the prestigious accreditation of the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, better known as QOPI®- Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, granted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
This program certifies excellence in performance and quality in outpatient hematology and oncology practices in the United States. Currently, the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital Cancer Center is the first and only center in Puerto Rico to receive this certification.
The Hospital informed through a statement that the Help Cancer Centerfounded and directed by Dr. Fernando Cabanillas, a Puerto Rican physician, scientist, cancer researcher, and writer, meets the strictest quality standards.
It is worth mentioning that every three years the institutions that meet the requirements of best practices in oncology medicine are re-evaluated.
In this sense, the QOPI® certification program evaluates the following areas: training and education of personnel, treatment planning, education, patient consent, administration, preparation of chemotherapy and monitoring following chemotherapy (adherence, toxicity and complications ).
Auxilio Centro de Cáncer stands out for its attention to cancer patients
The Help Cancer Center indicated that the accreditation process consisted of an evaluation of standards, documentation and files, followed by a rigorous visit to the facilities by the inspectors of the Certification program.
“Practices that recertify demonstrate a passion for quality care. By choosing to dedicate time and resources to this certification, they exemplify what all providers must strive to not only meet the standards, but also exceed them,” said Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD, Director of the National Cancer Institute of the United States.
For his part, Lcdo. Jorge L. Matta, executive director of the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital, expressed his satisfaction and pride with the accreditation of the Cancer Center. “At Hospital Auxilio Mutuo we feel very honored that our Cancer Center, the most complete in Puerto Rico, has revalidated this important certification granted by the American Society of Oncology.”
He also added that, “we have witnessed so many lives touched by this Center, patients who, over the last 20 years, have received first-rate care and services at our Institution. My thanks and congratulations to Dr. Cabanillas and his excellent work team on this great task”.
Dr. Cabanillas also added thanks for the certification. “It is a great honor and pride for us to maintain this important accreditation and the greatest satisfaction we can receive is that of our patients, who trust their health and are the first to benefit from all the advances and clinical research carried out here.”
The Lcda. Aleyda Aponte, manager of the Help Cancer Center, added that, “this accreditation is possible thanks to the efforts of our medical faculty, oncology nursing team and all patient service personnel. By obtaining this certification we demonstrate our commitment to quality to patients, providers and the medical community.”
About the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital Cancer Center
The Auxilio Mutuo Hospital reported that the Cancer Center brings together a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, who analyzes and investigates each case to achieve a complete diagnosis and plan a successful treatment.
In addition, they have seven oncologists, two breast surgeons, two head and neck surgeons, two internists, a psychologist, a personal trainer, and a genetic consultant.
“We are the only ones in Puerto Rico that have 15 private chemotherapy rooms with reclining chairs or beds for each patient. Each room has a television, “wifi” and space for a visitor, giving the patient the necessary privacy and comfort during their treatment”, they highlighted.
The Auxilio Mutuo Hospital is a non-profit entity that has been serving the health of the community in Puerto Rico for over 138 years. For more information regarding the services offered by Hospital Auxilio Mutuo, you can call (787) 758-2000 ext. 3508 or visit the page www.auxiliomutuo.com.
