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Analysis of utilization-related parameters on a 6-MV linear accelerator
Medical Physics
|September 1, 1985
Summary
Unscheduled downtime for a 6-MV linear accelerator averaged 2.4% after its first year, impacting 1.3% of patient treatments. In-house quality assurance and maintenance require about 500 man-hours yearly.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Linear accelerators are crucial for radiation therapy.
- Understanding operational efficiency is key to patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze unscheduled downtime and patient treatment data for a 6-MV linear accelerator.
- To quantify the impact of downtime on treatment delivery.
Main Methods:
- Data analysis of unscheduled downtime over a 7-year period.
- Correlation of downtime with patient treatment data.
- Tracking of in-house maintenance and repair efforts.
Main Results:
- Average unscheduled downtime was 2.4% after the initial year of clinical use.
- A 1.3% loss in patient treatments corresponded with downtime.
- Approximately 500 man-hours annually were invested in quality assurance, preventive maintenance, and repairs.
Conclusions:
- Consistent in-house management of a 6-MV linear accelerator leads to predictable downtime.
- Downtime significantly impacts patient treatment delivery.
- Resource allocation for maintenance is essential for operational continuity.