Constant Improvement in Quality and Safety of Radiology, Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Through Clinical Audit

The Directorate-General for Energy (European Commission) has launched a call for a team to improve the quality and safety of radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine through clinical audits.

Ionizing radiation is widely used for the medical diagnosis and treatment of important diseases, such as cancer and heart conditions. The diagnostic uses of ionizing radiation-including X-ray-based radiology and computed tomography (CT), diagnostic nuclear medicine, and hybrid imaging-are by far the most common. Therapeutic applications include external beam radiation therapy, therapeutic nuclear medicine, and brachytherapy. Ionizing radiation is also increasingly used in minimally invasive interventional procedures, as well as for treatment planning, counseling, and verification purposes. Although indispensable to modern medicine, ionizing radiation is also a known carcinogen. International principles and guidelines and European legislation have been introduced to ensure that the medical uses of ionising radiation are duly justified and that the protection of medical personnel and patients exposed to medical radiation is optimised.

The European Commission is carrying out various activities to ensure the effective implementation of these requirements, including checks on compliance with national rules, transposition measures, the provision of publications on radiation protection and the organisation of scientific seminars. A group of independent experts on radiation protection and public health advises the European Commission in this area.

The job will consist of:

1. Organize a workshop on clinical auditing of radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine.
2. Carry out a survey on the implementation of clinical auditing in the Member States.
3. Organise a workshop to present the results of the Member States.
4. Prepare new guidelines and recommendations.

Objectives

The overall objective of this work is to promote the continuous improvement of the quality and safety of radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine by conducting clinical audits as part of the health systems of the Member States.

The study should meet the following specific objectives:

(a) review the state of implementation of clinical audits in the Member States;
(b) identify good practice in the Member States and the guidelines and resources available for clinical audits, at national, European and international level;
(c) provide further guidance and recommendations to improve the implementation and integration of clinical audits in national health systems;
(d) identify opportunities for more coordinated EU action on the quality and safety of fishery products, radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine.

Requrements

Bidders (in the case of a joint bid, the combined capacity of all group members and identified subcontractors) must meet the following criteria:

• Criterion A1: The tenderer must demonstrate experience in the quality and safety of
  medical practice.
• Criterion A2: Tenderer must demonstrate ability to work in English.
• Criterion A3: Tenderer must demonstrate ability to write reports in English.
• Criterion A4: The tenderer must demonstrate experience in the management of multinational teams.

The team must consist of a Project Manager, at least one expert in diagnostic and interventional radiology, at least one expert in diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine, at least one expert in external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy, at least one expert in interventional cardiology and at least one expert in health policy making and health economics. In addition, at least 3 of the members must provide a certified C1 in English.

Deadline

October 10, 2019

More information

Funding & tenders