First Japanese Cancer Center to Demonstrate Commitment to Radiotherapy Patient Safety and Treatment Quality with Novalis Certified

Hiroshima High-Precision Radiotherapy Cancer Center (HIPRAC) announced today that it is the first cancer center in Japan to become Novalis® Certified. After a rigorous certification process conducted by a third party panel of experts, HIPRAC received certification of compliance for quality and patient safety standards in radiosurgery. Patients in the Hiroshima area now have another benchmark to measure safety and treatment quality when researching radiation therapy options for cancer treatment.

“At HIPRAC, we strive to go above and beyond standard measurements for quality care delivery, including stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy,” states Dr. Yasushi Nagata, Director of HIPRAC. “Undertaking the Novalis Certified review demonstrates clear commitment that all of our physicians, staff and equipment are operating at a high level of competency and expertise.”

Novalis Certified is an independent accreditation program that promotes the delivery of cranial and body radiosurgery at a level of efficacy and safety commensurate with a high standard of clinical practice. Upon becoming Novalis Certified, HIPRAC joins a prestigious community of hospitals that have demonstrated the requisite clinical capabilities and standards for treatment delivery.

Novalis Certified offers many advantages, which include a review of organizational, personnel, technological and quality assurance requirements. Once the HIPRAC certification was completed by Masayori Ishikawa, PhD, and Timothy Solberg, PhD, Novalis-accredited reviewers, the hospital was equipped with a clear set of guidelines for staff and the tools to promote a better community understanding of the measures that have been undertaken for the safe and specialized delivery of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

“We have a great responsibility to our patients and their families to not only invest in the best technology, but to invest in the 360-degree review of its implementation and utilization,” said Masayori Ishikawa, PhD, Graduate School of Health Science, Hokkaido University and Senior Medical Physicist of Hokkaido University Hospital. “In today’s healthcare environment, value based programs like Novalis Certified are essential.”

HIPRAC underwent this voluntary certification, including a one-day on-site visit on October 11, 2016 and subsequently became Novalis Certified on November 15, 2016. A comprehensive review was conducted including quality, safety, clinical workflow and the full continuum of care across clinical, support and administrative levels.

Novalis Certified is steered by the Novalis Circle, a worldwide communication and collaboration network of clinicians developing new ideas and optimizing treatment protocols, that will continue to change the face of cancer treatment. The accreditation program is designed to work in tandem with other established quality and safety programs and is available to any qualified Novalis Radiosurgery center that shows an exceptional commitment to safety and quality in the treatment of cancers with SRS and SBRT.

To learn more, visit Novalis Certified.