Safety in radiation oncology: transposition of directive 2013/59/EURATOM in the Spanish Radiation Oncology Departments-recommendations for its adequate and effective application.

Abstract

The Official Journal of the European Union published on January 17, 2014 the Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM of December 5, 2013, which establishes basic safety standards for the protection against the dangers derived from the exposure to ionizing radiation, and should have been transposed to the regulations of the member countries of the European Union. We carried out and exhaustive review of the Directive, to highlight its aspects referred to radiotherapy, in order to issue recommendations for its adequate and effective application in Spain. A series of recommendations are issued, from highest to lowest organizational level: Legislative, Scientific Societies, Healthcare Centers, Radiation Oncology Departments, Radiation Oncologists and Patients. The implementation of what the transposition of the Directive to our legal order implies, besides the implication of the professionals, Centers and Administration, a need and a consumption of resources. If not enough are allocated, there is a risk that the innovation and improvement that the transposition would imply in order to raise the level of patient safety and the quality of Radiation Oncology in Spain will remain a paper tiger and, as the Romans said, "Non progredi est regredi", that is, when it does not go forward, it goes backwards.