A doorless entry system for high-energy radiation therapy rooms

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Health Facility Design

Background:

• Traditional radiation therapy rooms often utilize heavy shielding doors, posing challenges for patient access, therapist safety, and operational efficiency.
• Existing shielding door systems represent a significant capital and maintenance cost in radiation therapy facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel doorless entry system for high-energy radiation therapy rooms.
• To assess the system's impact on patient access, safety, throughput, and therapist well-being.
• To determine the system's compliance with radiation safety and operational requirements.

Main Methods:

• Design and implementation of a doorless entry system in radiation therapy rooms.
• Evaluation of the system in a room with a cobalt-60 unit.
• Planned deployment in five additional rooms with dual-energy accelerators (10 and 18 MV).

Main Results:

• The doorless entry system has been successfully implemented and is operational.
• The system improves patient access, safety, and throughput.
• It enhances physical safety for radiation therapists and eliminates the cost of heavy shielding doors.
• Radiation safety, operational ease, and authorized entry concerns have been met.

Conclusions:

• The doorless entry system offers a viable and effective alternative to traditional shielding doors in high-energy radiation therapy.
• The system has demonstrated wide approval among radiation therapists, with no reported concerns regarding unauthorized entry or radiation safety.