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Although the clinical benefits of IMRT are evident, significant barriers to adoption exist. Aside from the capital requirements for linear accelerators, hardware, and software; a lack of widely accepted standards for the delivery of IMRT presents a hurdle to IMRT adoption. The IMRT process requires changes in practice for all clinic staff, since principles and time requirements vary significantly from traditional therapy. Patient selection, immobilization, planning, delivery and quality assurance are all impacted with the adoption of IMRT. The time investment for program development can make IMRT implementation an insurmountable task for the physicist who is already at workload capacity managing existing programs. |
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Physicians must participate to a much higher degree in the planning and quality assurance process, therefore, they require targeted training and peer consultation from radiation oncologists to support a robust IMRT program. While vendor training focuses on the operation of technology, D3 focuses on assisting clinicians with the optimal clinical application to improve quality and efficiency of workflow. |
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Clinics that work with D3 to initiate IMRT programs are able to initiate treatment within approximately 30 days of equipment readiness. They experience a much higher IMRT adoption rate in year one of the program as opposed to typical industry rates as our training, clinical consultation and standards enable you to treat a wider variety of patients in a quality, efficient manner. Optional remote treatment planning services eliminate program growth constraints related to staff shortages. D3 IMRT support….better for patients, easier for staff, and increased revenue for the clinic.
The D3 staff has broad experience in IMRT with a variety of inverse treatment planning systems and linear accelerators. We have supported the treatment over 7,500 IMRT patients from coast to coast since 2001. Our customers include academic centers, community hospitals and free standing clinics. The clinical policies, standards and training we provide have evolved from our extensive experience, and the industry thought leaders on our Scientific Advisory Board, so your clinical staff will be assured they are providing IMRT according to the highest quality standards.
You may also establish your program with lower initial capital costs, as D3 can build the cost of IMRT treatment planning software into service fees.
Clinics that have already started IMRT programs can benefit from a customized D3 program that focuses on assessing current practice, and improving efficiency and adoption through training, peer review and consultation. Our account managers will create a customized offering that meets your unique needs.
D3 can provide a customized IMRT support program according to your unique needs. Program components may include program implementation, training, remote treatment planning and consultation:
D3 provides comprehensive IMRT implementation services leveraging a proven methodology that has consistently yielded results. Our customer service staff manages the entire process, to assure milestones are achieved and you are able to treat patients within 30 days. We begin with an on-site assessment of your staff's learning curve and equipment readiness, including upgrade requirements for immobilization, quality assurance and network integration of imaging, planning, record & verify systems and linear accelerators. We install the technology you need to communicate with D3.
D3 consults with you regarding procurement, provides complete policies and protocols for IMRT and assists with patient selection. The process concludes with comprehensive training at your clinic for physicians, therapists, physicists, dosimetrist and support staff focusing on the clinical aspects of IMRT including:
The complexity and iterative nature of the IMRT treatment planning process can result in an investment in physics time of as much as twelve hours per patient. Physicians must overcome the learning curves associated with patient selection, contouring and dosing. Through the provision of remote treatment planning, D3 is able to minimize the staffing impact of IMRT. During the remote planning process, our physicists and physicians consult with your clinicians, so they develop an understanding of the clinical application of IMRT. D3 has flexible remote treatment planning options to meet short or long terms needs, please visit the remote treatment planning section of our web site for more information and technical aspects of IMRT.
With the constant evolution of technology and IMRT standards, keeping up-to-date can be a challenge. D3's support services help assure that you are maintaining an efficient, leading program. Our physicians and physicists provide insight on everything from patient selection, to troubleshooting technology and quality assurance. D3’s Radiation Oncologists peer to peer consultation is one of our most valued services. Our policy and protocol updates and a web database of information and clinical tools assure you are in line with the latest standards.
Our training focuses on the clinical concepts associated with the IMRT process that apply regardless of the type of planning platform or linear accelerator you utilize. Comprehensive training for the entire clinical team is a core component of our implementation process. D3's web based training aids and grand rounds for physicians and physics staff assure you are applying the latest clinical techniques from immobilization to quality assurance, while earning CEUs.
Ongoing standard training programs are provided for physicians and
physics staff. To see a schedule of standard training events held at our offices, please visit the training and workshops section of our web site.
We also provide customized on-site training to address your unique needs.
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