The Well-Being of the Patient is at the Center of it All

Qfix

The Hippocratic Oath has changed over time. Though there are several variations, at its core, the sentiment that prevails is a promise to act in the best interest of the patient. As such, it is no surprise that physicians and health care personnel alike take “patient safety” as not merely a set of general guidelines, but as a specific obligation to meet within their professions and daily routines. An unprecedented volume of resources and time has been invested within the health care system to implement best practices promoting patient safety on a larger scale. To maximize these efforts, medical device manufacturers have had to think differently about the way their products are designed and eventually used in practice.

Additionally, regulatory and governing authorities have become more involved and stringent to ensure that medical manufacturers not only heed the recommendation of prioritizing patient safety but are also reminded that it is now considered a matter of ethics in the field of medicine. Entire departments such as Regulatory Affairs as well as Quality Assurance have become a new standard in device manufacturing. One of the many benefits of this is, when properly empowered, these internal subject experts can reduce the likelihood of adverse events. Tandem to their efforts are the initiatives that engineers, scientists and research and development groups drive respectively. As a result, flaws that were once prevalent in entire classes of equipment have been designed out thanks to their hard work, which has perpetuated technological advancement and innovative solutions.

All these components are especially significant in radiation therapy. It goes unsaid that patient safety is a theme constantly probing at the minds of the individuals who make up the radiotherapy industry. Patients undergoing cancer treatment are no doubt already experiencing the most trying time in their lives. As a whole, our duty is to attempt to reduce any further injury and to aid in optimizing treatment for a greater success rate. By improving medical devices and their usability, manufacturers strive to help clinicians and therapists take advantage of these developments to hopefully help reduce side effects. It is truly a collaborative environment in which the well-being of the patient is at the center of it all. That is only a glimpse of why the term “patient safety” hits so close to home for companies such as ours.