Special Stereotactic Radiotherapy Distinction Available to ACR Accredited Radiation Oncology Sites

The American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO), the professional society for the practice of radiation oncology, and the Radiosurgery Society (RSS), a non-profit medical society dedicated to advancing the science and clinical practice of radiosurgery, today announced that the Special Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) will be made available to radiation oncology practices accredited through the American College of Radiology® (ACR®).

Through this agreement, ACR-accredited radiation oncology practices will now be eligible to apply for the SRT Distinction: an advanced quality recognition program jointly developed by ACRO and RSS. Previously, the distinction was available exclusively to ACRO-accredited practices.

“This distinction allows ACR ROPA sites to enhance their stereotactic programs -- not only adding another layer of quality and safety -- but showing their patients that they are going above and beyond to excel in patient care," said David C. Beyer, MD, FACR, chair of the American College of Radiology Commission on Radiation Oncology. “As the indications, techniques, and technologies for stereotactic radiation grow, this affiliation between ACRO, RSS and ACR will recognize those programs that truly maintain the state of the art in SRS/SBRT.”

In 2022, recognizing the rapidly changing landscape of radiation therapy with a growing number of radiation centers and patients receiving stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), the RSS and ACRO determined that a comprehensive accreditation program specific to SRS/SBRT clinical practice and physics quality assurance was necessary. Together the two organizations launched the SRT Distinction.

According to Jarek Hepel, MD, FACRO, ACRO Accreditation Medical Director, "ACRO-RSS Distinction in Stereotactic Radiation Therapy is a unique offering for this highly specialized treatment modality. With this agreement, we are very excited to be able to provide this distinction to a larger number of practices across the country."

The SRT Distinction is the only SRS/SBRT-dedicated accreditation review by a professional medical society that focuses on practice standards, patient management, and medical physics aspects unique to SRS/SBRT treatment.

"The field of SRS/SBRT has grown tremendously in the last decade and the availability of an accreditation program specific to its unique requirements becomes very important. The RSS-ACRO Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy Accreditation Program offers independent evaluation using criteria specific to SRS/SBRT, including quality assurance practices, expert reviewers and disease site teams," said Simon Lo, MD, ChB, FACR, FASTRO, Medical Director of the Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy Program. "We are glad that we are now able to extend the availability to ACR-accredited radiation oncology practices who seek SRT Distinction, which will benefit centers by showcasing their expertise and will help patients and caregivers identify centers of excellence.”

The program was designed by professional peers with extensive experience treating patients with SRS/SBRT, with the aim to identify standards indicative of a quality practice in the field of SRS/SBRT. The SRT Distinction currently focuses on SRS/SBRT treatments within six disease sites: central nervous system (CNS), spine, liver, lung, pancreas, and prostate. 

The review consists of a minimum of five charts with a minimum of two charts per disease site, and peer reviewers evaluating cases within their area of expertise. In addition to the medical chart review, a physics survey process was developed by medical physicists with research development backgrounds and clinical expertise in stereotactic radiotherapy using a wide range of delivery technologies. Areas of evaluation include machinery, quality assurance, staff and training, and dose constraints specific to the delivery of SRS and SBRT treatment.

Centers interested in applying for the Special Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy can contact Valerie Guth at info@acro.org.

About ACRO Accreditation

The American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support radiation oncology professionals by providing opportunities for career development and practice improvement to enhance patient care. In 1995, ACRO recognized the essential need to help practices provide state-of-the-art radiation therapy with the highest quality and safety standards in a landscape of rapidly evolving technological advances. In response, the College developed a radiation oncology-specific accreditation program. Accreditation is a voluntary process in which professional peers identify standards indicative of a quality practice, and an audit is conducted to assure that these standards are followed. Practices may choose between a three- or four-year accreditation term, and the virtual accreditation process offers flexibility to practices without compromise to its high standards.

ACRO is the only ISO 9001:2015 certified accreditation program for radiation oncology, and has held this distinction since 2014.

Learn more at acro.org/ACROAccreditation.

About the Radiosurgery Society®

About the Radiosurgery Society®The Radiosurgery Society (RSS) – a non-profit, independent, multi-disciplinary organization of surgeons, radiation oncologists, physicists, and allied professionals, who are dedicated to advancing the science and clinical practice of radiosurgery. Originally formed in 2002 and becoming 501(c)(6) in 2008, the Radiosurgery Society (therss.org) today represents members who perform stereotactic body radiotherapy and radiosurgery in hospitals and freestanding centers throughout the world.

About the ACR Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation (ROPA) Program 

The American College of Radiology (ACR) Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation (ROPA) Program, established in 1986, promotes quality and safety in radiation oncology through peer-reviewed evaluations by board-certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists. The program assesses quality control and assessment activities, equipment, treatment planning and records, and patient safety protocols based on nationally recognized ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards, American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Technical Standards, and AAPM Task Group Reports and Practice Guidelines. ROPA provides practices with a comprehensive report of this impartial, third-party assessment to support continuous quality and safety improvement. Learn more at: acr.org/Accreditation/Modalities/Radiation-Oncology

About the American College of Radiology

The American College of Radiology (ACR), founded in 1924, is a 42,000-member medical association that advances the practice and science of radiological care through advocacy, quality standards, research and education. acr.org.

Contacts:

Stephanie Tomei, The Radiosurgery Society®

Kristy Williford, American College of Radiation Oncology

Shawn Farley, The American College of Radiology