[Organization and risk management in stereotaxic body radiotherapy at the treatment station]

Quality/risk management system in radiotherapy: Changes afoot

The French sanitary and regulatory context in which radiotherapy centres are comprised is evolving. Risk and quality management systems are currently adapting to these evolutions. The French nuclear safety agency (ASN) decision of July 1st 2008 on quality assurance obligations in radiotherapy has reached 10 years of age, and the French high authority of health (HAS) certification system 20 years now. Mandatory tools needed for the improvement of quality and safety in healthcare are now well known. From now on, the focus of healthcare policies is oriented towards evaluation of efficiency of these new organisations designed following ASN and HAS nationwide guidelines.

[Project management of the implementation of intracranial stereotactic body radiotherapy at the "Centre finistérien de radiothérapie et d'oncologie"]

The Centre Finistérien de radiothérapie et d'oncologie, based in Brest (France), wanted to expand its activity by offering intracranial stereotactic radiation therapy to improve patient care. The desire of the Centre was to invest in this innovative and efficient technique and thus modernize its technical platform and its offer of care. The introduction of intracranial stereotactic radiation therapy requires vigilance for the technical and human organization. Therefore, the Centre prepared the implementation of this technique upstream by a structured and timed preliminary project management.