Olympic Medical Cancer Center Installs Temporary Radiation Oncology Facility

SEQUIM, Wash. and AVENTURA, Fla., Dec. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, construction crews and engineers were on site at Olympic Medical Cancer Center, using cranes to set in place six 20- to 50-ton units that make up the Temporary Radiotherapy Vault (TRV) by RAD Technology Medical Systems LLC.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101217/FL19740 )

Once complete, this "temporary vault" will allow for a seamless transition of patient care as Olympic Medical Cancer Center decommissions and dismantles its previous linear accelerator and vault, and builds the vault required to house the world-class Varian TrueBeam™. Completion of the entire project is scheduled for April 2010.

"Our goal was to bring the latest radiotherapy technology to the cancer patients we serve," says Dr. Rena Zimmerman, medical director of radiation oncology, Olympic Medical Cancer Center. "Thanks to RAD's transitional unit, we can maintain our patient-centered focus by continuing to provide care as we upgrade our facility."  

RAD's TRV system, a portable building equipped with a pre-installed linear accelerator and state-of-the-art radiation shielding technology, provides an efficient and effective solution to managing patient treatments during an upgrade process.

Advances in radiotherapy technology have many cancer centers looking to upgrade their linear accelerators. Bringing in the latest technology, however, can come with some unintended consequences. With 20 to 40 patients treated daily by a linear accelerator for a period of more than six weeks, moving patients to an alternate location that may require hours of travel time is disruptive. The RAD solution duplicates the cancer center's processes in a compact and temporary package, allowing patient treatments to continue as the new treatment system is installed.  

"RAD has had success in installing radiotherapy vault systems for over five years in the UK, Canada, Mexico and the USA," states company President John J. Lefkus III. "New patented technology now allows RAD to install comprehensive solutions for as little as 90 days."

Olympic Medical Cancer Center Administrator Rhonda Curry further states, "We found value in the TRV option and are thrilled we do not have to shut down this valuable service as we upgrade to the industry's latest technology. Olympic Medical is committed to assuring our cancer patients can receive local treatment even during the transition."

About RAD Technology Medical Systems LLC

RAD provides revolutionary turnkey and re-locatable radiation containment systems and cancer treatment facilities. RTMS designs and builds proprietary technology for temporary, permanent or bridge facilities. RTMS's products are available for sale and lease. For further information, visit www.rad-technology.com.

About Olympic Medical Center

Olympic Medical Center (Clallam County Public Hospital District No. 2) is a comprehensive, award-winning health care provider for more than 70,000 residents of Clallam County. It has served the community since its establishment on Nov. 1, 1951, and is governed by a seven-member, publicly elected board. OMC is a sole community hospital and rural referral center. It provides inpatient services at its 80-bed acute-care facility in Port Angeles, including a level-three trauma designated emergency department, surgical services, and labor and delivery. OMC's outpatient services include cardiac, imaging, physical therapy and rehabilitation, laboratory, sleep medicine, surgical services, home health, physician clinics and comprehensive regional cancer care at locations in Port Angeles and Sequim.

SOURCE RAD Technology Medical Systems LLC