Joanna Izewska1, Mary Coffey2, Pierre Scalliet3, Eduardo Zubizarreta4, Tania Santos4, Ioannis Vouldis4, Peter Dunscombe5. 1. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: j.izewska@iaea.org. 2. Discipline of Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. 3. Department of Radiotherapy, Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. 4. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria. 5. University of Calgary, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The IAEA has developed a methodology for comprehensive quality audits of radiotherapy practices called Quality Assurance Team for Radiation Oncology (QUATRO). This study explores the factors that impacted quality of care among QUATRO audited centres in the IAEA Europe Region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 31 QUATRO reports collected over 10years include extensive data describing the quality of radiotherapy at the audited centres. A coding key was developed to aggregate and review these data in terms of recommendations for improvement and positive findings (commendations). RESULTS: Overall 759 recommendations and 600 commendations were given. Eight centres recognized as centres of competence differed from other centres mostly because they operated complete quality management systems and were adequately staffed. Other centres had excessive staff workloads and many gaps in the process of care. Insufficient equipment levels were prevalent. Patient centredness, communication, dosimetry, quality control and radiation protection were frequently commended by QUATRO. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis points to barriers to quality care such as insufficient staffing, education/training, equipment and lack of quality management. It highlights the correlation between the human resources availability and quality of care. It has also identified common action items for enhancing quality of radiotherapy programmes in the Region.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The IAEA has developed a methodology for comprehensive quality audits of radiotherapy practices called Quality Assurance Team for Radiation Oncology (QUATRO). This study explores the factors that impacted quality of care among QUATRO audited centres in the IAEA Europe Region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 31 QUATRO reports collected over 10years include extensive data describing the quality of radiotherapy at the audited centres. A coding key was developed to aggregate and review these data in terms of recommendations for improvement and positive findings (commendations). RESULTS: Overall 759 recommendations and 600 commendations were given. Eight centres recognized as centres of competence differed from other centres mostly because they operated complete quality management systems and were adequately staffed. Other centres had excessive staff workloads and many gaps in the process of care. Insufficient equipment levels were prevalent. Patient centredness, communication, dosimetry, quality control and radiation protection were frequently commended by QUATRO. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis points to barriers to quality care such as insufficient staffing, education/training, equipment and lack of quality management. It highlights the correlation between the human resources availability and quality of care. It has also identified common action items for enhancing quality of radiotherapy programmes in the Region.
Authors: Bróna Nic Giolla Easpaig; Yvonne Tran; Teresa Winata; Klay Lamprell; Diana Fajardo Pulido; Gaston Arnolda; Geoff P Delaney; Winston Liauw; Kylie Smith; Sandra Avery; Kim Rigg; Johanna Westbrook; Ian Olver; David Currow; Jonathan Karnon; Robyn L Ward; Jeffrey Braithwaite Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2022-02-12 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Jessica Lye; Stephen Kry; Maddison Shaw; Francis Gibbons; Stephanie Keehan; Joerg Lehmann; Tomas Kron; David Followill; Ivan Williams Journal: Med Phys Date: 2019-10-25 Impact factor: 4.071