A soft hum fills the treatment room as the linear accelerator (LINAC) is powered up for another day of life-saving treatments. The oncology team at the hospital prepares for a full day of patients, each relying on precisely calibrated radiation therapy equipment. Behind the scenes, an equally vital team has already ensured the day will go smoothly.
RSA is the healthcare service, parts and maintenance professionals who service LINACs, which are critical equipment in radiation therapy.
RSA’s Solutionists proactively service radiation oncology equipment. Issues are identified and resolved through regular preventive maintenance and thorough inspections. The Solutionists of RSA are always on and dedicated 24/7/365 to maximizing machine uptime. They tirelessly service the machines, often late at night through to the early morning hours, to ensure every machine is up and running by the time the first patient walks in for treatment. They operate at a higher calling because they are extremely patient-focused. RSA’s team of Solutionists have immediate access to essential parts and are highly skilled and cross-trained across the major LINAC brands to ensure that this critical radiation oncology equipment performs reliably.
The RSA Edge: Service Beyond The Standard
“While most original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) operate with large service territories with high engineer-to-machine ratios, we prioritize responsiveness and personalized attention,” says Tim Krzyzanowski, CEO.
With an average of only five machines per field service engineer, RSA provides in-depth, focused support to every facility it serves.
The result? RSA is the industry’s most attentive, most responsive team. Stronger relationships, faster response times and a level of service that feels more like an extension of the healthcare organization’s team versus an OEM or third-party provider. Clients consistently praise RSA’s Solutionist field engineers as true partners in patient care.
Patient-Focused and Quality-Driven
Unlike diagnostic imaging, where facilities often have multiple machines to fall back on, radiation therapy usually depends on a single, critical system. If that machine goes down, treatment stops. Every missed session can disrupt a patient’s care plan. Understanding this, RSA offers a 100 percent solutions guarantee.
Since 1995, RSA has consistently delivered a 98 percent uptime rate for the radiation therapy equipment it services. More than just servicing machines, it ensures uninterrupted patient care without the stress of unexpected treatment delays.
Blueprint For Maximizing Uptime
RSA’s service model is built on three core pillars—training, support and strategic inventory management. As an ISO 9001-certified company, it upholds the highest standards in quality assurance.
Engineers undergo hands-on training at RSA’s facility, gaining real-world experience with LINACs before assuming responsibilities. A structured associate program allows new engineers to shadow seasoned professionals, ensuring comprehensive knowledge transfer.
In addition to rigorous training, RSA maintains a dedicated technical support team that assists field engineers in real time, ensuring swift issue resolution. Its strategic inventory management further boosts service efficiency. Engineers are equipped with “truck stock” tailored to the service needs, while many client sites also store critical components to help minimize downtime. This ensures that repairs are completed quickly, keeping machines operational and patient care uninterrupted.
Beyond Service: A Partnership Built On Trust
RSA’s role in the industry is invaluable. In addition to servicing LINACs, it is the exclusive distributor in the Americas for replacements of critical components, including Teledyne E2V magnetrons and thyratrons, offering clients a reliable alternative to OEM parts. Its commitment to service excellence and customer support has made RSA the largest independent service provider for LINACs in the U.S.
Currently servicing over 250 LINACs nationwide, RSA supports a diverse range of clients, from small oncology centers to large integrated delivery networks and hospital groups. Its flexibility, responsiveness and affordability reinforce its reputation as a trusted partner in radiation therapy.
An example of its impact took place in a rural Appalachian community in eastern Kentucky. The OEM had deemed the center’s early-2000s LINAC too old to support and pulled back their services—leaving the facility and the community it served at risk. RSA stepped in and kept the aging machine operational, providing life-saving cancer treatment to hundreds of residents with no feasible alternatives. Many patients in the region couldn’t afford to travel long distances or pay for care at larger, more expensive institutions. RSA’s dedicated support not only kept the machine running, but sustained a small, local medical team and allowed the facility to remain open until it was eventually acquired by a larger healthcare group years later.
Future-Ready: Adapting To Evolving Healthcare Needs
With medical technology constantly evolving, RSA stays ahead of the curve by closely monitoring industry advancements. LINACs have long lifespans—often in use for 10 to 20 years— so RSA ensures its expertise aligns with both new technologies and legacy systems.
Geographical demand also plays a crucial role in its strategic planning. It identifies regions with increasing service needs and allocates engineers to ensure nationwide coverage. RSA is also proactive in sourcing and refurbishing essential components, helping facilities extend the life of their equipment. In some cases, it even collaborates with OEMs to service machines that manufacturers no longer support, filling a crucial gap in the market.
From Vision To Action: Service That Leads
With a strong foundation in place, RSA is positioned for continued growth. As it embarks on a rebranding initiative, its vision is clear—to be the most trusted independent service provider within the medical device industry. This goal will be achieved through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, enhancing capabilities and broadening market reach.
At the heart of its future is its Solutionists. Many RSA engineers have undergone retraining and completed the company’s rigorous in-house programs, ensuring they meet and exceed industry standards. Their expertise allows RSA to provide service quality on a par with OEM offerings—at a fraction of the cost.
As healthcare evolves, the demand for reliable, cost-effective service providers like RSA will only grow. By offering an alternative to traditional OEM models, RSA enables healthcare facilities to manage costs effectively without sacrificing quality. This, in turn, allows hospitals to allocate more resources toward patient care, fulfilling RSA’s mission of supporting better healthcare outcomes by ensuring the reliable operation of radiation therapy equipment.