WHITEVILLE, NC — Columbus Regional Healthcare System’s Donayre Cancer Care Center has officially achieved national certification through the QOPI® Certification Program, LLC, recognizing its adherence to top-tier national standards for quality and safety in outpatient cancer treatment.
The certification—awarded by a subsidiary of the Association for Clinical Oncology and an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)—places the Whiteville facility among an elite group of outpatient hematology-oncology practices nationwide. The designation grants the center a three-year certification following a rigorous voluntary site assessment.
“We’re very proud of this certification from the Association. Being one of the few cancer centers in NC with this distinction, it emphasizes our commitment to providing high-quality care for our patients,” said Donna McCulloch, RN, Director of Hematology/Oncology at Columbus Regional Healthcare System. “I am also proud of our cancer center and want everyone to know how special it is. We provide university-level safe and quality care to our patients.”
Meeting Stringent National Standards
To earn QOPI® Certification, outpatient practices undergo an exhaustive evaluation of their entire clinical operation, documentation standards, and chemotherapy safety protocols. Independent reviewers and volunteer committee members conduct on-site surveys to verify that the facility meets or exceeds key benchmarks established alongside the Oncology Nursing Society.
Evaluation criteria cover essential treatment areas, including:
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Staffing competency, continuing education, and general clinical policies.
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Treatment planning, patient consent, and comprehensive education.
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Safe protocols for ordering, preparing, dispensing, and administering chemotherapy.
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Patient monitoring following chemotherapy administration, including toxicity management, treatment adherence, and complication assessments.
Elevating Rural Healthcare
Launched in 2010, the QOPI® Certification Program was the first dedicated oncology quality recognition program of its kind in the United States, with just over 300 practices currently certified nationwide.
“QOPI certification represents a critical benchmark in oncology, reflecting a practice’s rigorous commitment to safe and effective patient care,” said Dr. Robin Zon, Board Chair of the Association for Clinical Oncology. “Patients can take comfort in knowing that a certified practice prioritizes their well-being and continuously pursues the highest quality of treatment.”
For cancer patients in Columbus and surrounding counties, the national designation reinforces that high-caliber, university-level oncology care remains accessible right here at home.
For more information on the Donayre Cancer Care Center or oncology services at Columbus Regional Healthcare System, visit CRHS online or call the hospital directly.
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