The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) has released 16 quality measures for treating cancer. COA, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering and preserving community cancer care, announced Wednesday that, with the measures, the Oncology Medical Home (OMH) Steering Committee had reached "a significant benchmark" in the development of the OMH model.

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The 16 quality, value and outcome measures have been approved as a result of the coordinated work by a cross-section of 18 cancer care stakeholders representing patients, cancer care advocacy organizations, payers, physicians, cancer care management and caregivers, COA leaders said in a written statement.

The measures are part of an ongoing process to recognize and reward quality, value and positive outcomes in cancer care, according to COA. Agreement and acceptance amongst the stakeholder groups is critical for developing measures by which all participants in the cancer care system can be evaluated.

The new measures cover adherence to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, which include minimizing emergency room visits and inpatient admissions; screening and interventions for psycho/social needs; utilization of hospice services; patient satisfaction; and other value, quality and outcome measures.

"The comprehensive care provided by an oncology medical home delivers a higher quality patient experience at a better value," said Bruce Gould, MD, steering committee chair, medical director of Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers and COA board member. "With the measures determined, our next goal will be to develop and promote payment models that reward and promote quality, value and superior outcomes while minimizing administrative and financial burdens."

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"In most cases the oncologist becomes a patient's care coordinator during cancer treatment and follow-up care," said Carol Murtaugh, chairperson of the OMH Implementation Committee and an oncology practice administrator.

“This continuity of care helps optimize outcomes and prevention of adverse events,” Murtaugh added. “COA's oncology medical home project is unique because it recognizes that. One of the key components of an OMH is measuring patient satisfaction in a standard manner so that the care provided can be improved to achieve the highest levels of quality, satisfaction and value."

The oncology medical home model optimizes coordination of care and results in enhanced outcomes relating to the quality, efficiency and cost of patient care, according to COA. As a non-profit organization founded to support community oncology patients and providers, COA officials said they intend to offer a model that allows practices to become oncology medical homes. The added that this will be accomplished by providing practices with an approach that allows them to move along a trajectory to becoming a medical home.