Spain is currently one of the Covid-19 hotspots in Europe with huge impact on every aspect of “normal” life.
This current situation prompted me to reach out to some of our GenesisCare users in Spain to find out how the Covid-19 crisis is impacting their cancer treatment processes and if they consider IQM helpful in providing high quality care to their patients in these times of crisis.
IQM Detectors at GenesisCare Spain Linear Accelerators
The following reply came from Alberto Gomez Barrado, Medical Physicist at GenesisCare Torrejon:
“Well, it is an interesting point. The philosophy of GC has been to deliver the best treatment and benefits to the patients, and this leads us not to stop treatments to whom it is needed.
The point is that currently we are working, involving the highest protection possible to our patients and professionals. Not only the use of masks and other protection, but the use of cleaning protocols, for example. But the most important procedures are [those] which allow us to reduce the amount of time being at the facility.
The less that a patient is in the facility, the probability of contagion decreases. Thus, we are improving [increasing] hypo-fractionation. For the staff, remote working is recommended, but as you may know, there is a set of tasks that has to be performed at the linac.
Patient QA is mandatory in case of complex and hypo-fractionated treatments. At this point, IQM is allowing us to be at the facility the minimum time.
In my own experience, yesterday I had to go to the clinic to perform patient QA and monthly machine QA. In less than two hours, I was able to measure four patients and get the measurements to assure that the machine is safe. With other systems, for sure it would have lasted the entire evening. That is why IQM is so appreciated, regarding efficiency and time saving.
In fact, last Friday we discovered that we needed an inclinometer recalibration, and for me it was mandatory to solve it as fast as possible. Thanks to the excellent support service of iRT, yesterday the equipment was working again as brand new. I also must say that you have a great and professional team, that is always doing its best”.
It was gratifying to hear that IQM helps Alberto Barrado and his team provide the best possible quality care to their patients, including in this time of crisis.
Later I received this follow up from Adérito Barbosa Chaves, PhD, one of Alberto Barrado’s colleagues at GenesisCare in Malaga:
“I completely agree with Alberto. During this critical period, IQM is a fundamental tool which provides flexibility, [and] a very quick QA enabling reducing contamination risk in the units. Thanks a lot for your support!!”
I am pleased to be able to share these messages with you and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all cancer care providers worldwide for your efforts to ensure that your cancer patients receive the best possible care during this time of challenges brought on by the Covid-19 crisis.
Click here to learn how IQM will help you to minimize your QA time.