Quality and Safety in Radiation Oncology is the first book to provide an authoritative and evidence-based guide to the understanding and implementation of quality and safety procedures in radiation oncology practice. Alongside the rapid growth of technology and radiotherapy treatment options for cancer in recent years, quality and safety standards are not only of the utmost importance but best practices ensuring quality and safety are crucial aspect of modern radiation oncology training. A detailed exploration and review of these standards is a necessary part of radiation oncologist’s professional competency, both in the clinical setting and at the study table while preparing for board review and MOC exams.
Chapter topics range from fundamental concepts of value and quality to commissioning technology and the use of metrics. They include perspectives on quality and safety from the patient, third-party payers, as well as from the federal government. Other chapters cover prospective testing of quality, training and education, error identification and analysis, incidence reporting, as well as special technology and procedures, including MRI-guided radiation therapy, proton therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), quality and safety procedures in resource-limited environments, and more.
State-of-the-art quality assurance procedures and safety guidelines are the backbone of this unique and essential volume. Physicians, medical physicists, dosimetrists, radiotherapists, hospital administrators, and other healthcare professionals will find this resource an invaluable compendium of best practices in radiation oncology.
Key Features:
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Case examples illustrate best practices and pitfalls
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Several dozen graphs, tables and figures help quantify the discussion of quality and safety throughout the text
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Section II covers all aspects of quality assurance procedures for the physicist
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Part I. Basic Concepts in Quality, Value, and Safety
1. An Overview of the Concept of ‚Quality‘ in Medicine
2. The Concept of ‚Value‘ in Medicine
3. Systems Engineering and Process Control
4. Error Prevention and Risk Management
5. Quality, Value, and the Assessment of New Technology
Part II. Quality in Radiation Physics
1. Equipment & Software Commissioning (and Upgrades)
2. Equipment & Software Quality Assurance
3. Quality Considerations in EBRT Simulation and Treatment Planning
4. Quality Considerations in Brachytherapy
5. Quality Considerations in Proton and Particle Therapy
6. Quality Assurance and Verification of Treatment
7. Special Procedures and Equipment
Part III. Quality in the Clinical Practice Setting
1. The Impact of Incidents: Reporting, Investigating and Improving
2. Error Identification and Analysis: FMEA, RCA
3. Making Metrics Matter
4. Engaging the Entire Team
5. Training: How to Teach Quality
6. Quality from the Patients‘ Perspective
7. Worksheets, Documentation and Checklists
Part IV: Case Examples: Practical Approaches and Pitfalls
Über den Autor
Tim R. Williams, MD, Medical Director, Radiation Oncology, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Boca Raton, FL