Cancer Center First in State to Earn Rigorous Radiotherapy Certification
GREENSBORO, N.C. April 20, 2017 – Novalis Certified demonstrates Cone Health Cancer Center’s commitment to quality and safety when delivering precision radiation to treat cancer.
Cone Health Cancer Center at Wesley Long Hospital is the first cancer center in North Carolina to become Novalis® Certified. The certification means the radiosurgery program at Cone Health meets or exceeds standards for quality and patient safety as verified by an independent group of experts. Stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy are two highly-advanced therapies used to treat cancer.
“Stereotactic procedures are patient-specific, can be complex and are not routine,” says B.J. Sintay, PhD, chief physicist, Cone Health. “We seek outside reviews of our programs so that patients can be assured that they are receiving the highest level of care possible when undergoing stereotactic radiotherapy at our cancer center.”
Stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation use high doses of radiation to destroy cancer. The techniques are often used to treat cancer in the brain. Unlike conventional radiation, fewer treatment doses are needed. Targeted tumors are destroyed to the point where the results can be compared with surgery—without the trauma of cutting through healthy brain or other structures to reach the tumor.
“Novalis Certified validates the quality management measures of a radiosurgery program, and helps identify potential improvement and strengthening of patient safety guidelines,” said Bogdan Valcu, director, Brainlab clinical research and Novalis Circle. “Guidelines are based on best practice clinical and technical protocols and procedures. Through its peer-reviewed implementation, the program promotes continual self-assessment and quality improvement.”
Besides an assurance that Cone Health Cancer at Wesley Long Hospital meets strict standards, Novalis Certified offers other advantages. One of note is the ability to share information with other leading cancer programs. This worldwide communication and collaboration network shares new ideas on treating cancer, making existing techniques better and improving the safety of treatment.
SOURCE: Cone Health