GenesisCare Northwest Cancer Clinic Becomes the First Center on the West Coast to Receive Accreditation for SRS/SBRT Clinical Practice and Physics Quality Assurance
SAN JOSE, Calif., September 18, 2023 – The Radiosurgery Society (RSS), a non-profit medical society dedicated to advancing the science and clinical practice of radiosurgery, and the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO), the professional society for the practice of radiation oncology, today announced that Northwest Cancer Clinic is the second center to be awarded the Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy accreditation.
"This accolade underscores our unwavering commitment to clinical excellence and high-quality care for our patients. As the second center in the nation to achieve this recognition, it affirms the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our entire team at GenesisCare,” said Brian Lawenda, M.D., Medical Director of Radiation Oncology, GenesisCare (Kennewick, WA and Hermiston, OR).
Recognizing the rapidly changing landscape of radiation therapy with a growing number of radiation centers utilizing and patients receiving stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), the RSS and ACRO determined that a comprehensive accreditation program specific to SRS/SBRT clinical practice and physics quality assurance was necessary. Together the two organizations launched the Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy Accreditation.
"ACRO Accreditation partnered with the Radiosurgery Society on the "Distinction in Stereotactic Radiation Therapy" accreditation to promote high-quality care for this specialized treatment modality and to recognize practices with particular expertise in this modality. I’m pleased to announce that GenesisCare Northwest Cancer Clinic is the second center nationwide and the first on the west coast to achieve this important distinction," said Jaroslaw Hepel, M.D., Medical Director for the ACRO Accreditation Program.
The Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy program is the only SRS/SBRT-dedicated accreditation review by a professional medical society that focuses on practice standards, patient management, and medical physics aspects unique to SRS/SBRT treatment.
“Congratulations to GenesisCare Northwest Cancer Clinic on achieving the Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy Accreditation. This recognition underscores the center’s commitment to cutting-edge technology, adhering to stringent quality assurance practices and advancing the standards of SRS/SBRT treatments. The Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy adds another layer of validation to GenesisCare Northwest Cancer Clinic’s dedication to innovation and excellence,” said Joanne Davis, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Radiosurgery Society.
The program was designed by professional peers with extensive experience treating patients with SRS/SBRT, with the aim to identify standards indicative of a quality practice in the field of SRS/SBRT. The Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy program currently focuses on SRS/SBRT treatments within six disease sites: central nervous system (CNS), spine, liver, lung, pancreas, and prostate. Centers wishing to achieve the Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy need to apply and complete the ACRO Accreditation Program for radiation oncology.
The review consists of a minimum of five charts with a minimum of two charts per disease site, and peer reviewers evaluating cases within their area of expertise. In addition to the medical chart review, a physics survey process was developed by medical physicists with research development backgrounds and clinical expertise in stereotactic radiotherapy using a wide range of delivery technologies. Areas of evaluation include machinery, quality assurance, staff and training, and dose constraints specific to the delivery of SRS and SBRT treatment.
The Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy is also being offered virtually, using an online process for reviewing medical charts. The virtual site visit process includes a pre-visit document review, video interviews of key personnel, virtual facility inspection, and detailed reviews of all quality metrics and all elements of the practice's quality assurance programs.
Centers interested in applying for the Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy Accreditation can contact Valerie Guth at info@acro.org.
About the Radiosurgery Society®
The Radiosurgery Society (RSS) – a non-profit, independent, multi-disciplinary organization of surgeons, radiation oncologists, physicists, and allied professionals, who are dedicated to advancing the science and clinical practice of radiosurgery. Originally formed in 2002 and becoming 501(c)(6) in 2008, the Radiosurgery Society today (http://www.therss.org) represents members who perform stereotactic body radiotherapy and radiosurgery in hospitals and freestanding centers throughout the world.
About ACRO Accreditation
ACRO is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support Radiation Oncology professionals by providing opportunities for career development and practice improvement to enhance patient care. In 1995, ACRO recognized the essential need to help practices provide state-of-the-art radiation therapy with the highest quality and safety standards in a landscape of rapidly evolving technological advances. In response, ACRO developed a radiation oncology specific practice accreditation program. Accreditation is a voluntary process in which professional peers identify standards indicative of a quality practice, and an audit is conducted to assure that these standards are followed. ACRO Accreditation has undergone periodic revisions and continues to be a leader in modernizing its processes to meeting the changing needs of practices and to maintain the highest quality standards. Practices may choose between a three or four year accreditation term, and the virtual accreditation process offers flexibility to practices without compromise to its high standards.
ACRO is the only ISO 9001:2015 certified accreditation program for radiation oncology, and has held this distinction since 2014.
Learn more at https://acro.org/page/ACROAccreditation.
About the Radiosurgery Society®
The Radiosurgery Society (RSS) – a non-profit, independent, multi-disciplinary organization of surgeons, radiation oncologists, physicists, and allied professionals, who are dedicated to advancing the science and clinical practice of radiosurgery. Originally formed in 2002 and becoming 501(c)(6) in 2008, the Radiosurgery Society today (www.therss.org) represents members who perform stereotactic body radiotherapy and radiosurgery in hospitals and freestanding centers throughout the world.
Contacts:
Stephanie Tomei
The Radiosurgery Society®