A quest for accuracy and reproducibility. Design of a simulation record

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Radiotherapy Technology

Background:

• Standardized documentation is crucial for accurate radiation therapy planning and delivery.
• Existing simulation records may lack universality across different machine types and institutions.
• Reproducibility of treatment setup is essential for patient safety and therapeutic efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel, universally applicable simulation record for radiation therapy.
• To facilitate easy data transfer and reuse of simulation records between centers.
• To ensure comprehensive documentation of all parameters necessary for treatment setup and dose calculation.

Main Methods:

• Development of a flexible simulation record format compatible with diverse radiation therapy equipment.
• Separation of the simulation record from the treatment documentation record for modularity.
• Inclusion of prompts for essential patient and field parameters, including positioning, immobilization, shielding blocks, and photographic records.

Main Results:

• The designed simulation record captures all necessary information to accurately reproduce patient treatment setups.
• The record is adaptable for reuse across multiple simulation sessions with minor additions.
• It standardizes the recording of field and patient parameters critical for precise dose calculations.

Conclusions:

• The proposed simulation record enhances consistency and accuracy in radiation therapy planning.
• Its universal format and reusability offer significant advantages for radiation therapy centers.
• This tool supports improved quality assurance and facilitates inter-institutional data sharing in radiotherapy.