Quality assurance of physical parameters in radiation oncology at the University Hospital of Basel – a retrospect

• Published in: Radiotherapy and oncology 1998-07, Vol.48 (1), p.83-88
• Main Authors: Roth, Jakob, Roser, Hans W, Nemec, Horst W, Brunner, Urs, Sander, Rainer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hospitals, University; Humans; In vivo dosimetry; Linear accelerator; Quality assurance; Quality Control; Radiation Oncology - standards; Radiotherapy - standards; Retrospective Studies; Switzerland; Treatment planning
• ISSN: 0167-8140; 1879-0887
• DOI: 10.1016/S0167-8140(98)00031-0

Background and purpose: The necessity for and the benefit of a quality assurance program in radiation oncology are not questioned. Nevertheless, a retrospective analysis of the accumulated results of several years of quality assurance offers the possibility for further optimization. Materials and methods: The results of the physical quality control in radiation treatment planning and on radiation treatment units in the Institute for Radiation Oncology at the University Hospital of Basel for the years 1985, 1991 and 1994 are analyzed and compared mutually. The frequencies of the deviations from the nominal values for the different tests are stated. Results: The relevance of the deviations for the different parameters is rated and the manifested influence of the type and age of the equipment on the results of the quality assurance is discussed. Conclusions: A condition for the maximum benefit gained from the quality assurance is the oncologist's understanding of the necessity for regular checks and the urgency for eliminating the established deficiencies. In that way the accuracy for the treatment planning, simulation and set-up process and for the realization of the radiation treatment can be increased and the methods can be improved.