Audit tool for external beam radiation therapy departments

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Quality Assurance

Background:

• External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) requires adherence to professional standards.
• Ensuring compliance with best practices is crucial for patient safety and treatment efficacy.
• Existing audit tools may not cover all critical aspects of modern EBRT techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive, self-contained audit tool for EBRT.
• To assess compliance with major recommendations from professional organizations and standards of practice.
• To include advanced techniques such as IMRT, SBRT, SRS, and VMAT.

Main Methods:

• A physics quality working group defined departmental vision and summarized key references.
• Essential elements of good documentation practices were identified and condensed.
• The compiled information was formatted into a checklist for auditing at three clinical sites.

Main Results:

• The final audit tool comprises 65 items covering diverse EBRT practices.
• Several audit items address issues not typically found in other authoritative sources.
• A total of 48 process improvements were identified across the three audited sites.

Conclusions:

• The self-inspection list serves as a valuable annual review tool for EBRT sites.
• It can assist in preparation for accreditation processes, such as the ACR-ASTRO accreditation.
• The tool acts as a catalyst for general quality improvement by highlighting noncompliance areas.