“Intrafraction motion is a real thing, and it happens. We have collected data that shows even in a framed stereotactic case, patients move millimeters. Without having a way to observe the treatment, you’re walking in the dark. With AlignRT, you feel like you’re walking in the light, you know where you’re going. AlignRT allows us to deliver stereotactic treatments comfortably, accurately, and safely.”
AlignRT Helps Patient Safety, Comfort and Efficiency
Overview
Institution Type: Freestanding cancer center
Location: Ocala, FL
SGRT System: AlignRT
Years with system: 1 year
Linac: Varian Truebeam
Cancer types treated: 30% Prostate, 30% Breast, 20% SBRT, 20% Head & Neck.
SGRT System: AlignRT
Years with system: 1 year
Linac: Varian Truebeam
Cancer types treated: 30% Prostate, 30% Breast, 20% SBRT, 20% Head & Neck.
FCS OBJECTIVES
SAFETY
FCS wanted an SGRT system that improved the precision of their treatments with real-time monitoring before and during radiation treatment, allowing for quick adjustments.
EFFICIENCY
FCS is a leader in their area with a high volume of 55 patients per day. They needed a technology that they would be able to implement in a short period of time and still maintain their efficient treatment times.
PATIENT COMFORT
FCS keeps the patient at the center of everything they do. Providing them with tattoo and mark-free radiation therapy treatments eliminated the need for radiation therapy tattoos or the discomfort of headgear and closed masks.
Solution
FCS chose AlignRT with Postural Video for the accuracy it delivered for all their radiation therapy treatments. Vision RT’s Clinical Applications team helped them implement tattooless treatment within six-months and earn the Vision RT Tattoo and Mark-Free Award, recognizing centers who have optimized SGRT technology on all workflows for their radiation therapy patients.
ALIGNRT AND POSTURAL VIDEO
FCS incorporated AlignRT into all patient workflows. With Postural Video, their therapists no longer had to use marks to move patients, specifically helping them align their Breast patients with their arms, as well as H&N patients with pitch.
TATTOO AND MARK-FREE
FCS implemented tattoo and mark-free treatment to help them save time and offer patient comfort. Before going tattooless, they spent time leveling the patients and moving them back and forth to put their tattoos on. They would also have to go back into the room to fix any alignment issues.
“Our commitment to our patients’ well-being goes beyond treatment speed – it is about providing our patients a safer and more comfortable experience.
AlignRT is changing the landscape of radiation therapy, making patients’ journey through cancer treatment faster, safer, and more.
Results
- Re-imaging rates decreased by 50%.
- Treatment times reduced 2 to 3 minutes per patient. Block time can be reduced from 12 to 10 minutes.
- Delivering mark and tattoo-free treatments for all patients and treatment sites: Breast, Prostate, SBRT, H&N.
- Full implementation of AlignRT was less than three months.
Habeeb Saleh, Ph.D., DABR FCS Director of Medical Physics
“What sets AlignRT apart is its real-time monitoring capabilities. Before and during radiation therapy, the system actively tracks your position, allowing for quick adjustments to ensure accuracy. AlignRT automatically signals the treatment delivery system to pause the radiation beam if there is any deviation from the intended position. This dynamic feature eliminates the need for radiation therapy tattoos or the discomfort of headgear and closed masks.”
Natasha Calle FCS Lead Radiation Therapist
Future Plans
FCS will expand the use of AlignRT technology throughout their network so they can offer tattoo-free radiation therapy to all their patients. Using a robust suite of communication tools, FCS will continue to reach patients through multiple social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) and utilize Vision RT’s Patient Education Toolkit for content to educate their patients and referring providers.
Get in touch
Ready to take the next step?
Vision RT’s family of SGRT solutions guide radiation therapy for better patient care at every step: Sim, Planning, Treatment and Dose. Whether you’re looking for a quote, a product demo (virtual or in-person) or just more information, please get in touch.