2012 CSQI shows progress in Ontario's cancer system but more needs to be done

TORONTO, May 16, 2012 /CNW/ - The Cancer Quality Council of Ontario's eighth annual Cancer System Quality Index (CSQI), released today, shows that while Ontario's cancer system has seen substantial improvement over nearly 10 years, there's more that needs to be done.

A North American first, launched in 2005, the CSQI is a web-based public reporting tool that enables the Cancer Quality Council of Ontario (CQCO) to track the quality and consistency of key cancer services delivered across Ontario's cancer system, from prevention through to end-of-life care. It is one of the most comprehensive reports of its kind in terms of its breadth of measurement, jurisdictional comparisons and international benchmarks.

"We've taken significant steps, with the help of our dedicated partners, to improve cancer care in Ontario and ensure better outcomes for patients. I'm pleased with the progress we've made to increase survival rates but I know we have more work to do to prevent cancer and to provide the highest quality of care for those living with cancer," said Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

"When it comes to cancer in Ontario, we are measuring more, we know more, and we are taking the quality of the cancer system seriously while ensuring accountability for improvement," said Dr. Robert Bell, Chair of the CQCO and President and CEO, University Health Network. "While we have made gains, there are approximately 72,000 new cancer diagnoses anticipated in the province this year alone. There's more that needs to be done to ensure that Ontarians continue to receive a high level of care and the best experience possible when going through the cancer system."

The report also indicates that because the cancer survival rate in Ontario is favourably high and high compared to international jurisdictions, Ontarians are living longer with cancer as a chronic disease. Results from this year's report show that the Ontario cancer system needs to focus on the quality of life of survivors, both during and after active treatment. This includes a need to continue to improve patient-centred care, especially in relation to measuring the patient experience. It also requires seamless integration of services across the health system to achieve greater efficiency without compromising quality of care.

"At Cancer Care Ontario our vision is to work with our partners to create the best health systems in the world. A great deal has been achieved in improving quality, performance and access to care within the cancer system for the people of Ontario," said Michael Sherar, President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario. "This year's CSQI highlights an opportunity for us to increase our efforts in prevention of cancer, and to drive the delivery of more patient-centred, integrated care while getting greater value from every health dollar we spend to help ensure a sustainable health system for all Ontarians."

The 2012 CSQI measures a total of 32 indicators. Visit http://www.csqi.on.ca to review all the indicators and this year's interactive report.

About the Cancer Quality Council of Ontario The Cancer Quality Council of Ontario (CQCO) is an advisory group established in 2002 by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and is quasi-independent to Cancer Care Ontario (CCO), set up to provide advice to CCO and the MOHLTC in their efforts to improve the quality of cancer care in the province. The Council is composed of healthcare providers, cancer survivors, and experts in the areas of oncology, policy, performance measurement and health services research. The CQCO has a mandate to monitor and report publicly on the performance of the Ontario cancer system and to motivate improvement through national and international benchmarking. For more information on the CQCO, visit http://www.cqco.ca.

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Health Care Improving For Ontario Cancer Patients