(Sunday, 7/12/2020) [Eastern Time (GMT-4)]
Room: AAPM ePoster Library
Purpose: Advances in radiotherapy technology have allowed increased precision and have led to an expansion of indications for high dose-per-fraction stereotactic delivery. Implementation of a cranial or body stereotactic program requires adherence to the most stringent levels of safety and quality. The Novalis Certification Program is the only program in the world dedicated to providing a comprehensive and independent assessment of safety and quality in SRS and SBRT. In this work we describe our institutional experience while going through the Novalis Certification Program.
Methods: The Novalis Certification is an independent review of SRS and SBRT program structure, adequacy of personnel resources and training, appropriateness and use of technology, program quality management, patient-specific quality assurance and equipment quality control. Centers applying for Novalis Certification complete a self-study prior to an on-site visit by reviewer. In order to assess our center’s current SRS and SBRT programs and complete the Novalis Certification self-study, a multi-disciplinary working group comprised of radiation oncologists, neurosurgeon, nurse, medical physicists, medical dosimetrist and radiation therapists was formed. The team updated or created treatment protocols, evaluated the quality management structure and quality assurance methods.
Results: Although to date 53 institutions have received Novalis Certification, we report on the first Canadian experience. The self-study is comprehensive, covering staffing levels, training, definition of clinical protocols, and the quality management program as specific to stereotactic programs. Completion of this process has augmented both the safety and quality of our SRS and SBRT programs overall.
Conclusion: The Nova Scotia Health Authority Cancer Care Program in Halifax is the first Canadian program to undergo Novalis Certification. This has been a catalyst for our center in defining all clinical protocols and in improving safety and quality of SRS and SBRT programs.
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