OECI – At the top of European Oncology
The IOV is accredited by the Organization of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) – the network that groups the most important centers of research and treatment of tumors on the continent – with the designation of “Comprehensive Cancer Center”. Accreditation was obtained for the first time in 2015, for the Padua venue only, and renewed on March 26, 2021, expiring March 26, 2026, for all IOV venues.
“Comprehensive Cancer Center” is the highest recognition given by OECI: it means that the IOV meets the highest standards – 63, divided into 272 requirements – developed at European level in the areas of care and assistance, scientific research and innovation, prevention and academic and post-graduate training. Particularly rewarded are the innovative character and the variety of treatments, offered according to a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on the needs of the patient and his family, developing a tailor-made therapeutic plan, starting from the latest developments in cancer research carried out internally and in collaboration with universities and other scientific partners.
ISO 9001-2015
The IOV is certified ISO 9001-2015 Quality Management System for the Padua and Schiavonia venues and, from 2022, progressively for the units based in the Castelfranco Veneto venue.
All procedures related to production, control and management support processes are subject to internal verification by the Quality Accreditation and IRCCS Recognition Unit and external verification by the ISO certification body inspectors.
All the results of the evaluation and revision of process management and improvement project development are subject to annual review by the General Management.
ESMO – People, even before cancer patients
IOV is accredited as a “Designated Centre of Integrated Oncology & Palliative Care” by the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO). In 2021, the ESMO certification was renewed until 2024.
The basis of the ESMO certification is the belief that a patient is – and should feel like – the same person as before they became ill. It is for this reason that a project of global patient care is built around each patient, aimed at seeking the best quality of life for the patient and his/her loved ones. The latter is a very subjective concept because it involves physical, spiritual, psychological and social needs. To ensure a good quality of life, the IOV has established simultaneous care pathways that, in addition to the oncologist, involve palliative doctors, nutritionists and psycho-oncologists in a multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach.
Moreover, the information center of the Italian Association of Cancer Patients (AIMAC), the Osteo-oncology clinic, hospital-territory coordination protocols and, above all, the electronic medical record, which allows attending physicians to quickly share information on the patient, are available in the Institute.
EURACAN – “Expert center” for rare adult cancer
From 1 January 2022 the IOV is a member of the European Network for Rare Adult Solid Cancer (EURACAN), being included in the list of the best centers in Europe for neoplasms originating from connective tissue (sarcomas of the soft parts), testicle and brain. The recognition as an “expert center” took place after the thorough verification of a series of requirements on the number of patients taken in care, on the existence of multidisciplinary teams, on the availability of innovative cancer treatments and on annual scientific production.
EURACAN is one of the 24 European Reference Networks (ERN), virtual networks focused on rare diseases that connect healthcare professionals in different countries to share knowledge, experience, initiatives, resources and allow all patients in different geographical areas to have access to the most appropriate care.
FONDAZIONE ONDA – THREE PINK AND ONE BLUE STAMPS
Again in 2023, the IOV received for the eighth consecutive time three “pink stamps”, the highest recognition of a woman friendly hospital, from the National Observatory on Women’s Health (ONDa). ONDa monitors and rewards Italian hospitals that offer services dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the main female diseases and that pay particular attention to the specific needs of women (www.bollinirosa.it). The three stamps are valid for 2024 and 2025.
In February 2022, the IOV also received the “blue stamp”, a new national recognition, valid for two years, assigned by Fondazione Onda to centers that guarantee a multi-professional and interdisciplinary approach in diagnostic and therapeutic pathways for men with prostate cancer. The Prostate Unit MDT, shared between the IOV and the Padua Unievrsity Hospital, with headquarters and coordination at the IOV, was awarded.