Written by Business Journal Staff

Fresno-based cCARE (CCA) has been selected as the recipient of the National 2009 HOPE (Hematology and Oncology Practice Excellence) award as the best example of a medium-sized practice in the category of Clinical Best Practices.

CCA was judged against several other practices nationwide and received national recognition in the April issue of the Hematology & Oncology News & Issues (HONI) magazine, a publication that encourages the development of practice standards of excellence and to promote optimism for the future of community-based cancer treatment and oncology practices. The focus of the HOPE initiative is to integrate good business practices with treatment strategies in 11 categories to provide a set of examples of practice excellence from small, medium and large practices throughout the United States.

The Initiative for HOPE has the goals of identifying a manageable set of performance standards in oncology practices, quantifying a set of metrics for each standard and recognizing successful practices that can be an example to administrators and physicians.

“We strive to use research, utilization management, our EMR, safety guidelines and other clinical practices to provide clinical excellence,” said Maria Madrigal Shaffer, executive director of CCA. “Our goal is to provide a seamless experience for the patient and his or her family. Our treatment center offers infusion, radiation, imaging, prescriptions and other support services all in one place.”