A dosimetric intercomparison of kilovoltage X-rays, megavoltage photons and electrons in the Republic of Ireland

Nisbet, Andrew; Thwaites, David; Sheridan, Martin

doi:10.1016/s0167-8140(98)00041-3

Cited by 27 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…[16][17][18]20,22,23,27,49,50,53,57,60,61 It is beyond the scope of this overview to review all of these and their results, so the following section limits discussion to two areas only. The first is that of beam calibration audit, being the fundamental reference dosimetry level affecting all patients on any specific machine or in any specific centre; and therefore beam calibration audit is also the most widely carried out audit, by number of beams or by repetitions at different times.…”

Section: Results Of Dosimetry Auditsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…43 These two observations demonstrate not only the direct value of dosimetry audit but also the need for adequate resources for such activity. It is noteworthy that a subsequent bid for funding to the Department of Health for the national electron dosimetry intercomparison 20 was successful and that the study employed a full-time auditor to carry out the measurements, thereby achieving a much more rapid national audit. From the experience of the initial audit, a number of the regional groups continued to develop and carry out audits, and from this, the regional interdepartmental audit network developed, based roughly on the original audit's regional structure and with a steering group set-up and co-ordinated by IPEM to provide an organized and continuing approach to audit between different centres.…”

Section: Institute Of Physics and Engineering In Medicine Interdepartmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…16 In the later UK national electron dosimetry intercomparison, 52 radiotherapy centres were visited, making measurements on 1 treatment unit per centre, and 3 beam qualities per treatment unit. 20 The energy, depth of maximum dose and beam calibration were independently determined. In total, 156 beams were audited.…”

Section: Initial Uk National Auditsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[13][14][15] Within the UK, the first comprehensive national photon dosimetry intercomparison was carried out in the late 1980s 16 and laid the basis for the development of a national dosimetry audit network, which began to evolve in the early 1990s. [17][18][19] The first national electron beam dosimetry intercomparison was carried out in the UK in 1994-1996 20 and was extended to cover all megavoltage (MV), electron and kilovoltage (kV) treatment units within Ireland. 21 The UK Interdepartmental Dosimetry Audit Network grew out of the structure of the original national study and was formally established by 1993.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Radiotherapy dosimetry audit: three decades of improving standards and accuracy in UK clinical practice and trials

Clark

Aird

Bolton

et al. 2015

BJR

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Dosimetry audit plays an important role in the development and safety of radiotherapy. National and large scale audits are able to set, maintain and improve standards, as well as having the potential to identify issues which may cause harm to patients. They can support implementation of complex techniques and can facilitate awareness and understanding of any issues which may exist by benchmarking centres with similar equipment. This review examines the development of dosimetry audit in the UK over the past 30 years, including the involvement of the UK in international audits. A summary of audit results is given, with an overview of methodologies employed and lessons learnt. Recent and forthcoming more complex audits are considered, with a focus on future needs including the arrival of proton therapy in the UK and other advanced techniques such as four-dimensional radiotherapy delivery and verification, stereotactic radiotherapy and MR linear accelerators. The work of the main quality assurance and auditing bodies is discussed, including how they are working together to streamline audit and to ensure that all radiotherapy centres are involved. Undertaking regular external audit motivates centres to modernize and develop techniques and provides assurance, not only that radiotherapy is planned and delivered accurately but also that the patient dose delivered is as prescribed.

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Section: Results Of Dosimetry Auditsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Institute Of Physics and Engineering In Medicine Interdepartmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Initial Uk National Auditsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Radiotherapy dosimetry audit: three decades of improving standards and accuracy in UK clinical practice and trials

Clark

Aird

Bolton

et al. 2015

BJR

Self Cite

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“…[23][24][25] In the last decade, Table 2. A trial is also currently being undertaken in Australasia of a dosimetric intercomparison for remote after-loaded brachytherapy.…”

Section: United Kingdommentioning

confidence: 99%

Comprehensive Australasian multicentre dosimetric intercomparison: Issues, logistics and recommendations

et al. 2009

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Summary The present paper describes the logistics of the 2004–2008 Australasian Level III Dosimetry Intercomparison. Dosimetric intercomparisons (or ‘audits’) can be used in radiotherapy to evaluate the accuracy and quality of radiation delivery. An intercomparison was undertaken in New Zealand and Australia to evaluate the feasibility and logistics of ongoing dosimetric intercomparisons that evaluate all steps in the radiotherapy treatment process, known as a ‘Level III’ intercomparison. The study commenced in 2002 with the establishment of a study team, definition of the study protocol, acquisition of appropriate equipment and recruitment of participating radiotherapy centres. Measurements were undertaken between October 2004 and March 2008, and included collation of data on time, costs and logistics of the study. Forty independent Australian and New Zealand radiotherapy centres agreed to participate. Measurement visits were made to 37 of these centres. Data is presented on the costs of the study and the level of support required. The study involved the participation of 16 staff at the study centre who invested over 4000 hours in the study, and of over 200 professionals at participating centres. Recommendations are provided for future phantom‐based intercomparisons. It is hoped that the present paper will be of benefit to any centres or groups contemplating similar activities by identifying the processes involved in establishing the study, the potential hazards and pitfalls, and expected resource requirements.

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Regional cancer centre demonstrates voluntary conformity with the national Radiation Oncology Practice Standards

Manley

Greenham

et al. 2015

J of Medical Radiation Sci

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Radiation Oncology Practice Standards have been developed over the last 10 years and were published for use in Australia in 2011. Although the majority of the radiation oncology community supports the implementation of the standards, there has been no mechanism for uniform assessment or governance. North Coast Cancer Institute's public radiation oncology service is provided across three main service centres on the north coast of NSW. With a strong focus on quality management, we embraced the opportunity to demonstrate conformity with the Radiation Oncology Practice Standards. The Local Health District's Clinical Governance units were engaged to perform assessments of our conformity with the standards and this was signed off as complete on 16 December 2013. The process of demonstrating conformity with the Radiation Oncology Practice Standards has enhanced the culture of quality in our centres. We have demonstrated that self-assessment utilising trained auditors is a viable method for centres to demonstrate conformity. National implementation of the Radiation Oncology Practice Standards will benefit individual centres and the broader radiation oncology community to improve the service delivered to our patients.

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A dosimetric intercomparison of kilovoltage X-rays, megavoltage photons and electrons in the Republic of Ireland

Cited by 27 publications

References 19 publications

Radiotherapy dosimetry audit: three decades of improving standards and accuracy in UK clinical practice and trials

Radiotherapy dosimetry audit: three decades of improving standards and accuracy in UK clinical practice and trials

Comprehensive Australasian multicentre dosimetric intercomparison: Issues, logistics and recommendations

Regional cancer centre demonstrates voluntary conformity with the national Radiation Oncology Practice Standards

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