Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology最新文献

{"title":"Hemostatic palliative radiotherapy for gastric cancer: A literature review","authors":"Osamu Tanaka","doi":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100266","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100266","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Gastric cancer has a high prevalence in Asia and may only be diagnosed in advanced stages. Therefore, patients with gastric cancer may experience fatal symptoms, such as bleeding or stenosis at the time of consultation. In this review, we aimed to describe the effectiveness and toxicity of hemostatic radiotherapy (RT).</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A total of 17 retrospective and 3 prospective studies were analyzed. The prescription dose, biologically effective dose, equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions, response rate, survival prognosis, and toxicities were also reported.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Using 20 studies, the following observations were made the hemostatic effect was ∼ 80 %, the mean survival time after irradiation was about 3 months, and prescribed doses of 30 Gy/10 fractions and 20 Gy/5 fractions were considered suitable.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>In this review, studies on hemostatic irradiation have been summarized, and the most optimal treatment method has been proposed. 30 Gy/10 fractions and 20 Gy/5 fractions were ideal. However, because palliative RT is preferably completed within a short period of time, a randomized trial is needed to determine whether the 8 Gy/single fraction treatment is equivalent to fractionated RT. Therefore, more prospective studies are warranted to establish a standard of care for palliative RT in gastric cancer.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36328,"journal":{"name":"Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 100266"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000337/pdfft?md5=6f8da47d4b41a008c423e6e881a6f7dd&pid=1-s2.0-S2405632424000337-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141950035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Radiation therapist education and the changing landscape in Africa","authors":"K.A. Kyei ,&nbsp;P. Engel-Hills","doi":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100263","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100263","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In the changing global landscape, education programs for radiation therapists (RTTs), also known as therapeutic radiographers or radiation therapy technologists, at higher education institutions (HEIs) are non-existent in many African countries. In countries with local RTT education programs, there is evidence of a wide variety of qualification types, including in-house training, diploma and degree offerings. However, what is consistent is the integrated curriculum approach to classroom theory and clinical work-based learning that across the continent follows the general structure of a work-integrated learning (WIL) approach, to enhance clinical competence and meet the needs of the health sector. This study used a qualitative approach with thematic analysis of publicly available documents and reflective writings followed by further analysis through application of the Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) to explore the changing landscape of oncology in Africa and the impact of this on the education of RTTs. The study was guided by the reflective research question: How can the systemic understanding of RTT training in a changing landscape enable competent and caring practice? The study extends prior research on RTT education in Africa and contributes to debates on the changing role of RTTs in a rapidly changing environment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36328,"journal":{"name":"Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 100263"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000301/pdfft?md5=8cc82d78e928de6cfb2ee9a32d95106d&pid=1-s2.0-S2405632424000301-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141839272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptive brachytherapy for cervical cancer in combined 1.5 T MR/HDR suite: Impact of repeated imaging","authors":"Katelijne M. Van Vliet-van den Ende,&nbsp;Paulien G. Hoogendoorn-Mulder,&nbsp;Rogier I. Schokker,&nbsp;Marinus A. Moerland,&nbsp;Petra S. Kroon,&nbsp;Judith M. Roesink,&nbsp;Raquel Dávila Fajardo,&nbsp;Femke Van der Leij,&nbsp;Ina M. Jürgenliemk-Schulz","doi":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100262","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100262","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>At our department we have a dedicated 1.5 Tesla MRI/HDR brachytherapy suite, which provides the possibility of repeated MRI scanning before, during and after applicator insertion and before and/or after irradiation for patients with advanced cervical cancer. In this study we analysed the effect of this adaptive workflow. We investigated the number of interventions, their impact on organ doses (OAR) and the respective dose differences between total prescribed and total delivered doses.</p></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><p>Seventy patients with locally advanced cervical cancer FIGO2009 stages IB-IVA, treated from June 2016 till August 2020, were retrospectively analysed. The standard brachytherapy schedule consisted of two applicator insertions and delivery of three or four HDR fractions.</p><p>OARs were recontoured on the repeated MRI scans. The D_2cm3 dose difference between total prescribed and total delivered dose for bladder, rectum, sigmoid and bowel were calculated.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>In total 153 interventions were performed, 3 replacements of the applicator, 23 adaptations of needle positions, bladder filling was changed 74 times and repeated rectal degassing 53 times. The impact of the rectal interventions was on average −1.2 Gy EQD2₃. Dose differences between total delivered and total prescribed D_2cm3 for bladder, rectum, sigmoid and bowel were −0.6, 0.3, 2.2 and −0.6 Gy EQD2₃, respectively.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>An MRI scanner integrated into the brachytherapy suite enables multiple interventions based on the scans before treatment planning and dose delivery. This allows for customized treatment according to the changing anatomy of the individual patient and a better estimation of the delivered dose.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36328,"journal":{"name":"Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 100262"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000295/pdfft?md5=1228e02eba0858f97aff87a3e7195d69&pid=1-s2.0-S2405632424000295-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141690929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Catheter removal after interstitial brachytherapy for breast cancer: Feasibility study for task delegation","authors":"M. Pignier,&nbsp;L. Rene,&nbsp;J. Carenco,&nbsp;M. Dubosc,&nbsp;M. Moreau,&nbsp;Y. Rizzi,&nbsp;M. Gauthier,&nbsp;S. Secchi-Cippoloni,&nbsp;J.M. Hannoun-Levi","doi":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100261","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study aims to assess the impact of delegating brachytherapy device removal to radiation therapists (RTTs) in the treatment of breast cancer, in terms of safety and efficacy of treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Material and Methods</h3><div>A retrospective, observational study was conducted to analyze breast cancer brachytherapy patients. Standardized protocols were drawn up and the RTTs were gradually trained to remove brachytherapy devices under medical supervision.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>423 patients were included in the study over a period of 15 years. The move to involve RTTs in device removal did not lead to a significant increase in complications. Efficient management of complications was observed, with a stable rate of complications whatever the indication for treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Delegating removal of brachytherapy devices to RTTs is a move towards the optimization of breast cancer care. This inter-professional approach guarantees diligent, safe care for patients while offering RTTs new opportunities for career development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36328,"journal":{"name":"Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 100261"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141700569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Time estimation is associated with the levels of distress in patients prior to starting radiotherapy","authors":"Kiril Zh. Zhelev ,&nbsp;Nikolay V. Conev ,&nbsp;Zahari I. Zahariev ,&nbsp;Iglika S. Mihaylova ,&nbsp;Ivan D. Tonev ,&nbsp;Ivan Sht. Donev","doi":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100258","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100258","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose or Objective</h3><p>The aim of this study was to explore the potential relationship between the time estimation and psychological distress in patients with solid tumors prior to starting radiotherapy.</p></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><p>In this multicenter study were included a total of 344 patients with solid tumors (197 with and 147 without metastatic disease). The time estimation was assessed by evaluating each subjects prospective estimation of how fast 1 min passed compared to the actual time. The median value (35sec) of subjective perception of time was used to group cases into two categories for experience of time. We used the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer at the beginning of treatment to determine the levels of distress, where it measures distress on a scale from 0 to 10. Patients scoring 4 or above (73.5 %) were regarded as having high levels of distress.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The time estimation distributions significantly changed according to the level of distress. ROC analysis revealed that at the optimal cut off value of time estimation, patients with low and high distress levels can be discriminated with an AUC = 0.80 (95 % CI: 0.75– 0.85, p &lt; 0.001) and with a sensitivity of 77.8 % and specificity of 73.3 %. In a multivariate logistic regression model, fast time estimation was an independent predictor of high levels of distress (OR 0.136; 95 % CI, 0.072–––0.256, p &lt; 0.001).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Time estimation is a novel potent indicator of high levels of distress in cancer patients prior starting of radiotherapy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36328,"journal":{"name":"Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 100258"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000258/pdfft?md5=72b121a62823ddc5518a66fe55e49689&pid=1-s2.0-S2405632424000258-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141542812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Outcomes from a single institution cohort of 248 patients with stage I–III esophageal cancer treated with radiotherapy: Comparison of younger and older populations","authors":"Carrie Lavergne ,&nbsp;Andrew Youssef ,&nbsp;Mark Niglas ,&nbsp;Deanna Ng Humphreys ,&nbsp;Youssef Youssef","doi":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100260","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100260","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Outcomes for patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) for non-metastatic esophageal cancer at a single institution were assessed, as well as the impact of factors including age and intensity modulated RT (IMRT) planning on patient outcomes. A retrospective cohort of patients treated with RT for stage I-III esophageal cancer between 2010 and 2018 was identified. Among 248 identified patients, 28 % identified as older (≥75 years of age). Other than histology, there were no other statistically significant differences in patient and tumour characteristics between the younger and older populations. Treatments varied between the two age groups, with significantly less older patients completing trimodality treatments (17 % vs 58 %). Median overall survival (M−OS) and progression-free survival (M−PFS) were 20 months and 12 months for all patients and 40 months and 26 months for trimodality patients, respectively. In the older patients, the M−OS improved from 13 months for all to 34 months for trimodality patients; and M−PFS from 10 months to 16 months. On multivariate analysis, the use of trimodality therapy showed improved OS (HR 0.26, p &lt; 0.001). In the non-surgical older patient group, significantly better survival was seen in patients who had a heart V30Gy under 46 %. There was no significant difference in M−OS in patients planned with IMRT compared with 3D-conformal RT. Clinical outcomes in the treatment of esophageal cancer vary significantly by treatment approach, with the most favourable results in those receiving trimodality therapy. Among older patients deemed fit after assessment by the multidisciplinary team for trimodality treatments, the M−OS is comparable to the younger patient group.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36328,"journal":{"name":"Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 100260"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000271/pdfft?md5=eedee8626a9fac65e4201441e0bb1471&pid=1-s2.0-S2405632424000271-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141542813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physician barriers and dilemmas in the execution of clinical trials impacting decision-making in the DAHANCA 35 proton therapy trial for head and neck cancer","authors":"Anne Wilhøft Kristensen ,&nbsp;Cai Grau ,&nbsp;Kenneth Jensen ,&nbsp;Susanne Oksbjerre Dalton ,&nbsp;Jeppe Friborg ,&nbsp;Annesofie Lunde Jensen","doi":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100259","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100259","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Physicians manage multiple obligations, providing best-practice treatment and patient- centred care in the standard treatment pathway while contributing to clinical trials simultaneously. These multifaceted responsibilities may introduce barriers and dilemmas to clinical trial execution, potentially impacting the clinical trial decision- making process. This study explores physicians’ barriers and dilemmas in executing clinical trials and the impact on clinical trial decision-making.</p></div><div><h3>Method</h3><p>Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with experienced oncologists. Moreover, participant observations were performed during clinical encounters involving discussions about clinical trials. The analysis followed a structured approach: (1) transcription of data, (2) inductive text coding, (3) exploration of patterns, and (4) interpretation, leading to the results. The results were discussed and validated by the study participants.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The results comprise (1) a description of the clinical practice, which presents the setting of clinical trial execution; (2) results regarding physicians’ barriers and dilemmas in executing clinical trials, leading to (3) the impact on clinical trial decision- making. The results involve barriers to time constraints for clinical trial tasks, dilemmas emerging from trial requirements or deviations from standard guidelines, and challenges with providing sufficient trial communication and adequate decision-making support, balancing between a paternalistic approach and respecting patient autonomy.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The demanding obligations of clinical practice constitute a complex setting for executing clinical trials, resulting in numerous barriers and dilemmas that impact the decision-making process in clinical trials. The study emphasises the need for tailored clinical trial decision-making interventions to facilitate supportive, informed, and non-directive clinical trial decision-making.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36328,"journal":{"name":"Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 100259"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240563242400026X/pdfft?md5=29fb77d55fb214204c40f1d1f0ba82d2&pid=1-s2.0-S240563242400026X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141486498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An automation of Monte Carlo workflow for dosimetry study of an Elekta LINAC delivery system in radiotherapy","authors":"Wenchih Tseng ,&nbsp;Keith Furutani ,&nbsp;Chris Beltran ,&nbsp;Bo Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100257","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100257","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>This study aims to automate the Monte Carlo (MC) workflow utilized for radiotherapy dosimetry, focusing on an Elekta LINAC delivery system. It addresses the challenge of integrating MC simulations into routine clinical practice, making this accurate yet complex method more accessible and efficient for radiotherapy dosimetry.</p></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><p>We developed a user-friendly software featuring a graphical user interface (GUI) that integrates EGSnrc for MC simulations. The software streamlines the process from retrieving Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data to executing dose calculations and comparing dose distributions. To validate our proposed tool, we compared its computed doses for IMRT and VMAT plans from the Pinnacle TPS for an Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator against MC simulation results. This comparison utilized our in-house software and GUI as the tool, covering various treatment sites and prescriptions.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The automated MC workflow demonstrated high accuracy in dose calculations and streamlined integration with clinical workflows. The comparison between the MC-simulated and TPS-calculated doses revealed excellent agreement, highlighting the reliability of MC for independent dose verification in complex treatment scenarios.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The automated MC workflow developed represents a substantial improvement in the practicality and efficiency of MC simulations in radiotherapy. This advancement not only simplifies the dosimetry process but also ensures high accuracy, establishing it as a valuable tool for routine patient-specific quality assurance and the development of specialized treatment procedures.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36328,"journal":{"name":"Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 100257"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000246/pdfft?md5=edcdc89196f32710e0c42a6c3f04bc8e&pid=1-s2.0-S2405632424000246-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141389835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Empowering radiation therapists: The role of an African Community of Practice in developing radiation Therapist education curriculum","authors":"Yat Tsang ,&nbsp;Kofi Adesi Kyei ,&nbsp;Sandra Ndarukwa ,&nbsp;Katie Wakeham ,&nbsp;Abiola Fatimilehin ,&nbsp;Kimyakhanim Bakhinshova ,&nbsp;Lisbeth Cordero Mendez","doi":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100256","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100256","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>Supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training (AFRA) invited African Member States (MS) with a radiation therapy facility to engage in a 3-day workshop to develop a robust road map for educational standards in radiation therapist (RTT) training. The aim of the paper was to make recommendations of how the African MS could drive forward high educational standards in RTT training and education in Africa.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A pre-workshop survey was developed and sent to the participants to gather background information on each MS’s national RTT training standards. An online survey was sent to all African MS with a radiation therapy facility. Two international RTT education-training experts were tasked by the IAEA to support and facilitate the workshop, which consisted of presentations and discussions around the current RTT training schemes in African MS and aspects of modern training methodology. The agenda of the workshop was structured with the aim to simulate discussions on RTT education and training standards among participants from African MS.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Sixteen African MS completed the pre-workshop survey. The median number of radiotherapy centres within a MS was 3 (range 1––15). All MS provided two-dimensional radiation therapy services as a minimum while 75 % (12/16) MS could offer three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy service. Thirty-eight percent (6/16) reported that they had no radiation therapy machine service maintenance contracts with vendors and 56 % (9/16) MS had no biomedical engineers on site for unplanned and planned machine maintenance. The median number of RTTs at national level among MS was 23 (range 7–73). Fifty-six percent (9/16) MS had a RTT specific national training programme with 75 % (12/16) MS having clinical attachments for 6 months or more. Representatives from 12 African MS attended the AFRA workshop. An African Community of Practice (CoP) in developing Education Curriculum for RTT was established as an outcome of the workshop with the aim to facilitate knowledge exchange and drive quality initiatives among participating African MS. Four work streams were proposed to form the CoP: RTT academic qualifications, core competencies in RTT education and training, RTT education faculty composition and peer review process in RTT education curricula among African MS.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>By fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and advocating for improved policies, the African COP in developing Education Curriculum for RTT can make significant strides toward developing a RTT education curriculum that not only meets the unique challenges of the African continent but also aligns with global standards.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36328,"journal":{"name":"Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 100256"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000234/pdfft?md5=031cc60bb0f14b09ff0567d8c1cd6132&pid=1-s2.0-S2405632424000234-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141292066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing patient safety in radiotherapy: Implementation of a customized electronic checklist for radiation therapists","authors":"Andrea Lastrucci ,&nbsp;Marco Esposito ,&nbsp;Eva Serventi ,&nbsp;Livia Marrazzo ,&nbsp;Giulio Francolini ,&nbsp;Gabriele Simontacchi ,&nbsp;Yannick Wandael ,&nbsp;Angelo Barra ,&nbsp;Stefania Pallotta ,&nbsp;Renzo Ricci ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Livi","doi":"10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100255","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100255","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>The radiotherapy workflow involves the collaboration of multiple professionals and the execution of several steps to results in an effective treatment. In this study, we described the clinical implementation of an electronic checklist, developed to standardize the process of the chart review prior to the first treatment fraction by the radiation therapists (RTTs).</p></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><p>A customized electronic checklist was developed based on the recommendations of American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Groups 275 and 315 and integrated into the Record and Verify System (RVS). The checklist consisted of 16 items requiring binary (yes/no) responses, with mandatory completion and review by RTTs prior to treatment. The utility of the checklist and its impact on workflow were assessed by analysing checklist reports, and by soliciting feedback to RTTs through an anonymized survey.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>During the first trial phase, from June to November 2023, 285 checklists were completed with a 98% compilation rate and 94.4% review rate. Forty errors were detected, mainly due to missing signed treatment plans and absence of Beam’s Eye View documentation. Ninety percent of detected errors were fixed before the treatment start. In 4 cases, the problem could not be fixed before the first fraction, resulting in a suboptimal first treatment. The feedback survey showed that RTTs described the checklist as useful, with minimal impact on workload, and supported its implementation.</p></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><p>The introduction of a customized electronic checklist improved the detection and correction of errors, thereby enhancing patient safety. The positive response from RTTs and the minimal impact on workflow underscore the value of the checklist as standard practice in radiotherapy departments.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36328,"journal":{"name":"Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 100255"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000222/pdfft?md5=cc115bc9071e5ad7ece64a870cdf4e5c&pid=1-s2.0-S2405632424000222-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141241398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}