B J Healy1, M Budanec2, B Ourdane1, T Peace3, B Petrovic4, D E Sanz5, D J Scanderbeg6, L Tuntipumiamorn7. 1. Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physics Section, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria. 2. Department of Medical Physics, UHC Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia. 3. Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India. 4. Department of Radiotherapy, Institute of Oncology Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia. 5. Departamento de Física Médica, Centro Atómico Bariloche, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. 6. Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA. 7. Division of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Abstract
Background: The IAEA recommends a quality assurance program in radiotherapy to ensure safe and effective treatments. In this study, radiotherapy departments were surveyed on their current practice including the extent and depth of quality assurance activities. Methods: Radiotherapy departments were voluntarily surveyed in three stages, firstly, in basic facility information, secondly, in quality assurance activities and treatment techniques, and thirdly, in a snapshot of quality assurance, departmental and treatment activities. Results: The IAEA received completed surveys from 381 radiotherapy departments throughout the world with 100 radiotherapy departments completing all three surveys. Dominant patterns were found in linac-based radiotherapy with access to treatment planning systems for 3D-CRT and 3D imaging. Staffing levels for major staff groups were on average in the range recommended by the IAEA. The modal patient workload per EBRT unit was as expected in the range of 21-30 patients per day, however significant instances of high workload (more than 50 patients per day per treatment unit) were reported. Staffing levels were found to correlate with amount of treatment equipment and patient workload. In a self-assessment of quality assurance performance, most radiotherapy departments reported that they would perform at least 60% of the quality assurance activities itemized in the second survey, with particular strength in equipment quality control. In a snapshot survey of quality assurance performance, again equipment quality control practice was well developed, particularly for the treatment equipment.Conclusions: The IAEA surveys provide a snapshot of current radiotherapy practice including quality assurance activities.
Background: The IAEA recommends a quality assurance program in radiotherapy to ensure safe and effective treatments. In this study, radiotherapy departments were surveyed on their current practice including the extent and depth of quality assurance activities. Methods: Radiotherapy departments were voluntarily surveyed in three stages, firstly, in basic facility information, secondly, in quality assurance activities and treatment techniques, and thirdly, in a snapshot of quality assurance, departmental and treatment activities. Results: The IAEA received completed surveys from 381 radiotherapy departments throughout the world with 100 radiotherapy departments completing all three surveys. Dominant patterns were found in linac-based radiotherapy with access to treatment planning systems for 3D-CRT and 3D imaging. Staffing levels for major staff groups were on average in the range recommended by the IAEA. The modal patient workload per EBRT unit was as expected in the range of 21-30 patients per day, however significant instances of high workload (more than 50 patients per day per treatment unit) were reported. Staffing levels were found to correlate with amount of treatment equipment and patient workload. In a self-assessment of quality assurance performance, most radiotherapy departments reported that they would perform at least 60% of the quality assurance activities itemized in the second survey, with particular strength in equipment quality control. In a snapshot survey of quality assurance performance, again equipment quality control practice was well developed, particularly for the treatment equipment.Conclusions: The IAEA surveys provide a snapshot of current radiotherapy practice including quality assurance activities.
Authors: Scott Crowe; Trent Aland; Lotte Fog; Lynne Greig; Lynsey Hamlett; Jenny Lydon; David Waterhouse; Darren Doromal; Adam Sawers; Howell Round Journal: Phys Eng Sci Med Date: 2021-11-15