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ASCO Certified Cancer Care in Southwest Virginia

When choosing a cancer center, patients want to know they are receiving the highest-quality care that follows the latest national standards for safety, treatment, and patient support. At Blue Ridge Cancer Care (BRCC), we are proud to be ASCO Certified through the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Patient-Centered Cancer Care Standards program.

This certification reflects BRCC’s commitment to delivering evidence-based, patient-centered cancer care right here in Southwest Virginia. Patients in Roanoke and surrounding communities can receive nationally recognized cancer care close to home without traveling long distances or navigating large academic cancer institutions. Here you’re cared for as an individual at one of our convenient locations.

What Does It Mean to be ASCO Certified?

To be an ASCO Certified cancer center, Blue Ridge Cancer Care met rigorous standards focused on delivering coordinated, evidence-based, high-quality oncology care. Achieving this certification requires a continuous commitment to care from all members of our organization.

ASCO Certified is a comprehensive oncology certification program developed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). The certification combines the former QOPI Certification Program and the ASCO-COA Oncology Medical Home (OMH) standards into one unified set of patient-centered cancer care standards.

The program was created to improve consistency and quality in cancer care while reducing the burden on patients and healthcare systems. The standards are peer-reviewed and developed by multidisciplinary teams that include oncologists, healthcare administrators, nurses, and patient advocates.

Why it Matters that BRCC is ASCO Certified

Cancer care is complex. Blue Ridge Cancer Care provides patients with support managing appointments, side effects, financial concerns, emotional stress, and communication between multiple providers through our nurse navigation program. The ASCO Certified standards are designed around the needs of patients and their families.

According to ASCO, the program aims to:

  • Improve care coordination
  • Improve access to care
  • Enhance overall quality
  • Support evidence-based medicine
  • Reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization
  • Improve the patient experience
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The Seven Focus Areas of ASCO Certified Care

Blue Ridge Cancer Care focuses carefully on the seven major areas of patient-centered cancer care that are:

1. Patient Engagement

1. Patient Engagement

Patients should understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and care plan. At Blue Ridge Cancer Care, patient education is an important part of the treatment process. Before treatment begins, patients meet with members of the care team to review medications, side effects, treatment goals, and symptom management strategies.

Patients are encouraged to ask questions and stay actively involved in treatment decisions throughout their care journey.

 

2. Availability and Access to Care

Access to timely care can significantly impact cancer outcomes. BRCC works to provide convenient access to oncology services throughout Southwest Virginia so patients can receive advanced cancer treatment closer to home.

Patients also have access to supportive services including triage nurses, financial counselors, social workers, and nurse navigators who help coordinate care and remove barriers to treatment whenever possible.

Unlike large hospitals, where navigating the system and scheduling can become overwhelming, BRCC’s community-based cancer centers provide a more convenient and personalized experience.

 

3. Evidence-Based Medicine

One of the most important components of ASCO Certified care is the use of evidence-based treatment standards.

BRCC physicians follow nationally recognized oncology guidelines, including NCCN Guidelines and clinical treatment pathways, to help ensure patients receive therapies supported by the latest research and clinical evidence.

Treatment decisions are personalized for each patient based on factors such as cancer type, stage, genetic testing, overall health, and individual treatment goals.

This allows patients in communities like Roanoke, Blacksburg, Salem, and Wytheville to access advanced cancer care without traveling long distances.

 

4. Comprehensive Team-Based Care

Cancer treatment often involves far more than chemotherapy or radiation. Patients may need nutritional guidance, emotional support, financial counseling, symptom management, transportation assistance, or survivorship planning.

BRCC’s care model brings together a multidisciplinary support team that includes:

  • Medical oncologists
  • Radiation oncologists
  • Advanced practice providers
  • Nurse navigators
  • Triage nurses
  • Licensed clinical social workers
  • Financial counselors
  • Supportive care specialists

This team-based approach helps ensure patients receive coordinated care throughout treatment.

Nurse Navigation and Supportive Care

One of the most valuable services available at Blue Ridge Cancer Care is nurse navigation.

Navigators help patients understand what to expect during treatment and provide ongoing support between appointments. They help coordinate referrals, monitor symptoms, assist with education, and connect patients with supportive services.

Patients may also receive proactive symptom monitoring through electronic patient-reported outcome tools that allow the care team to identify symptoms early and intervene before complications become more serious.

This approach helps many patients avoid unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations during treatment.

 

5. Quality Improvement

ASCO Certified practices are expected to continuously measure and improve the quality of care they provide. At BRCC, quality improvement initiatives focus on the following areas:

  • Chemotherapy safety
  • Symptom management
  • Care coordination with other specialties and with support services
  • Timely follow-up with patients
  • Reducing emergency department visits
  • Improving communication with patients
  • Supporting health equity initiatives

The practice also participates in national value-based oncology care programs designed to improve outcomes while reducing the overall cost and burden of cancer care.

 

6. Goals of Care, Symptom Management Services, and End of Life Discussions

Cancer care needs to include important conversations about symptom management, quality of life, survivorship, and long-term care planning. When appropriate, it also requires an end of life discussion, allowing patients and their family members to create a plan.

At BRCC, these conversations are approached with compassion and individualized support. Patients and families receive guidance to help them make informed decisions while focusing on comfort, symptom control, and the highest possible quality of life during and after treatment.

 

7. Infusion Safety

Also called Antineoplastic Therapy Safety, this standard requires BRCC to follow strict safety standards for administering chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy drugs. This includes detailed safety requirements for medication ordering, administration, patient education, and monitoring for side effects. By doing this, we help protect patients throughout treatment and support safer delivery of complex oncology therapies.

Why Patients Choose Blue Ridge Cancer Care

Blue Ridge Cancer Care combines nationally recognized oncology standards with the personal approach of a community-based cancer center.

Patients benefit from:

  • Access to advanced cancer treatments
  • Personalized care close to home
  • Strong nurse navigation and supportive services
  • Evidence-based treatment planning
  • Access to clinical trials
  • Coordinated multidisciplinary care
  • Easier access and parking compared to large hospitals
  • A care team that knows patients personally

Additionally, community oncology practices like BRCC are often able to provide cancer treatment at a lower overall cost compared to hospital-affiliated outpatient cancer centers.

Leading Cancer Care in Southwest Virginia

Blue Ridge Cancer Care is committed to bringing nationally recognized cancer care standards to the communities we serve throughout Southwest Virginia.

When you choose Blue Ridge Cancer Care, you can feel confident knowing your treatment is guided by nationally recognized standards focused on safety, quality, coordination, and compassionate support throughout your cancer journey.