Two Novalis Centers in Belgium Demonstrate Commitment to New Standard in Radiosurgery
Clinique et Maternité Sainte-Elisabeth and UZ Brussel promote patient safety and treatment quality with rigorous and independent Novalis Certified audit
Clinique et Maternité Sainte-Elisabeth hospital and UZ Brussel announced today that they have become the first cancer centers in Belgium to receive a Novalis certification of compliance for quality and patient safety standards in radiosurgery. Clinique et Maternité Sainte-Elisabeth and UZ Brussel were presented with Novalis Certification after an independent audit by accredited Novalis Certified auditor, Timothy D. Solberg, Professor in Medical Physics at the University of Pennsylvania. Through Novalis Certified, patients in Belgium now have another measurement of safety and treatment quality when faced with researching radiosurgery options for their cancer treatment.
“We were eager for our nearly decade old Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Radiotherapy program to be audited by an independent, internationally renowned expert in a more focused way”, said Dr Jean-François Daisne, MD, PhD, Head of Radio-Oncology Department at Clinique Ste-Elisabeth in Namur. “Novalis Certification was a rigorous process, scrutinizing all aspects of our processes and treatment delivery. After receiving ISO9001 accreditation in 2005 and Novalis Certified accreditation this year, our team is looking forward to building on this success and remaining among the leading radiosurgery centers in Belgium.”
Professor Mark De Ridder, Head of Department Radiotherapy at UZ Brussel in Brussels added: “UZ Brussel has more than 25 years of excellence and experience in Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Radiotherapy. We are pleased to be one of the first two centers in Belgium to receive Novalis Certification. This accreditation program stands for high standards in patient safety and reinforces our processes and procedures for these highly complex treatments. This confirms our leading position for linac-based radiosurgery of brain lesions in Belgium.”
Novalis Certified is an independent accreditation program that promotes a very high standard of efficacy and safety for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatments. The Novalis Certified audit includes a review of organizational, personnel, technological and quality assurance requirements.
“Novalis Certified audits, carried out by Novalis Circle accredited auditors, follow the Novalis Standard which focuses on best practice clinical and technical protocols and procedures, robust quality assurance, continual self-assessment and quality improvement, and peer-review, and is based on international standards and publications of various radiation oncology organizations”, commented Timothy D. Solberg, Professor in Medical Physics, University of Pennsylvania and Novalis Circle Expert Group member. “As Belgium’s first Novalis Certified Centers, Clinique et Maternité Sainte-Elisabeth in Namur and the UZ Brussel join a group of leading oncology centers from across the globe.”
To learn more about Novalis Certified, visit Novalis Circle.
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About the Novalis Circle
The Novalis Circle, a worldwide network of clinicians, is dedicated to the advancement of radiosurgery. Novalis® Radiosurgery users represent the leading edge in the application of radiosurgery and SBRT and their participation in the Novalis Circle community indicates their strong commitment to improving healthcare. The Novalis Circle provides a communication and collaboration network for developing new ideas and improving treatments that will continue to change the face of cancer treatment. The Novalis Standard was established and approved by a Novalis Circle expert committee. For further information, visit www.NovalisCircle.org.
About Clinique et Maternité Sainte-Elisabeth, Namur
The Clinique et Maternité Sainte-Elisabeth (CMSE – Namur) has nearly 300 beds to serve the population of Namur. The private institution covers a surface of 47,000 m². The hospital has an undeniable experience of several decades. It includes, in its care offer, a maternity and several centers of excellence. Active in many areas, the Clinic is composed of complete departments of medicine and surgery, a modern technical platform in medical imaging and a laboratory of medicine, a one day hospital, several clinics and an awarded cancer pathology sector. Our staff, composed of more than 950 workers, our doctors (220 practitioners) and numerous employees provide to the patient, every day, specific care of high quality, comprehensive care and personalized support. The institution also develops partnerships geared towards professional excellence.
About UZ Brussel
UZ Brussel (University Hospital Brussels) has a staff of approximately 3,500 employees. It is attached to the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Free University of Brussels on the Brussels Health Campus in Jette. With 721 hospital beds, it accounts for more than 30,600 admissions and 400,000 outpatients each year from Belgium and abroad. Its philosophy is founded on three principles: Dutch-speaking, pluralist and social. As a university hospital, it also has a teaching mission and conducts scientific research. More information can be found at www.uzbrussel.be.