The equipment, an Elekta Versa HD model, will be installed by technicians from the manufacturer with the assistance of hospital engineers and medical physicists. Its features and capabilities are identical to those of the linear accelerators already operating at Miguel Servet and Clínico Lozano Blesa hospitals in Zaragoza and San Jorge Hospital in Huesca.
According to Reyes Ibáñez, head of the Multihospital Clinical Radiotherapy Oncology Unit of Aragon (UCMORA), this alignment will strengthen network-based work and optimize the use of healthcare resources.
QUALITY CONTROLS WILL BE REQUIRED ONCE IT IS INSTALLED
Once installation is complete, the equipment will be calibrated and quality controls will be carried out to verify that it meets all requirements. In addition, the installation will have to pass acceptance tests and inspections of the shielding and safety systems.
The Nuclear Safety Council will have to authorize its start-up after verifying compliance with the administrative, legal and operational requirements for radiological protection. Until then, the accelerator will not be able to treat patients.
The new Obispo Polanco University Hospital opened its doors last September 1 with several outpatient clinics, including Radiotherapy Oncology, allowing patients treated with radiotherapy in Zaragoza to be monitored in Teruel.
The arrival of the accelerator will advance the implementation of this technology in the province. In the meantime, UCMORA has appointed Manuela Lanzuela as the reference coordinator for care at the Teruel hospital, where she will organize the department’s activities and its integration with other services involved in cancer care.
