Accreditation and Designation User Manual - OECI

1 Introduction of the OECI A&D Programme
The Organisation of European Cancer Institutes
The mission of the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) is to bring together the cancer research
and care institutions in the European Union, in order to create a critical mass of expertise and competence. With
the view of building and maintaining a consensus on the best models of oncology, developing concrete affordable
and realistic solutions to effectively combat cancer and fostering the widest deployment of oncology models and
solutions to improve the quality of life for the patients in the EU.
Background of the accreditation programme
The OECI launched the Accreditation Programme in 2002 to fulfil its goals:
– To provide cancer patients within Europe an equal access to high quality of cancer care.
− Helping European cancer institutes to implement a quality system for oncology care using the OECI standards
and peer review system.
There have been two rounds of pilot projects in eight different cancer institutes between 2006 and 2008. In the
first round four cancer institutes used a tool for self-assesment. In the second round four other cancer institutes
were involved to use the improved self-assesment tool and a team of auditors visited three of the institutes
for an assessment (peer review) on site. The pilot projects resulted in improvement and development of the
accreditation programme, the electronic self-assesment tool, and validation of the quality standards.
The programme has been launched in October 2008.
OECI standards
Standards describe the demands the quality system has to meet and what has to be arranged. The OECI
accreditation programme is based upon the OECI standards for high qualitative cancer care. The standards
are validated through the pilot projects. The standards are translated in two questionnaires, a qualitative and a
quantitative, to assess the current quality in a cancer institute. Both are integrated in an electronic tool (e-tool)
for self-assesment.
The content of the questionnaires is accessible on the website: http://oeci.selfassessment.nu/cms/node/53
OECI peer review visit
An OECI peer review is a systematic and independent examination to determine: whether on a level of quality and
the coherent results, activities correspond to the planned measures, and whether these measures are suitable
and have been effectively implemented to achieve the objectives of the organisation.
The peer review applies to the quality system of the organisation or its elements. The added value of a peer
review is that it should lead to improvement of the quality system, working process and products and services of
the organisation. It puts the daily routine and its results to the test of quality standards. If differences are found,
corrective measures are taken to upgrade the quality system. Though, it is not solely a compulsory activity.
On the other hand, a peer review does not aim to assault the quality system of the cancer institute and those
responsible.
Scoring system
A scoring system is included in the qualitative questionnaire. The scoring system is based on the Plan-Do-Check-
Act-circle or Deming-circle. With the scoring system it is possible to assess the stage of development for each
item in the standard. After filling out all the questions, the e-tool generates the results. The results will be used for
the content of the peer review as well as input for a quality improvement plan of the institute.
Background of the designation programme
The developments in accreditation have urged the OECI to develop and implement an additional system in which
European cancer institutes can also be designated from September 2010 onwards. Such a system creates a
platform in which synchronization and benchmarking of cancer activities will be possible on an international scale.
Additionally, it is a tool for cancer institutes to ensure and improve their quality level.
By making an effort to gain a designation status, the organisation will be stimulated to disseminate knowledge
and to form coalitions with other institutes in Europe that are also designated. This allows cancer institutes to
benefit from one another and to reach a critical mass in cancer services.
Owner: OECI Organisation of European Cancer Institutes
Status: Revised - 24 th January 2011 - A&D Working Group
Approved by: OECI Accreditation and Designation Board
Chapter 1 Introduction of the OECI A&D Programme
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Version 16 February 2011