Scientific Publications Database

Article Title: Streamlining Regulatory Activities Within Radiation Therapy Departments Using QATrack
Authors: Angers, Crystal; Bottema, Ryan; Buckley, Lesley; Studinski, Ryan; Petzold, Don; Abbassian, Farhoud; Taylor, Randy
Journal: HEALTH PHYSICS Volume 117 Issue 3
Date of Publication:2019
Abstract:
Radiation therapy departments are faced with the challenge of tracking numerous quality control tests as well as monitoring service events affecting radiation therapy treatment units. Service events, in particular, pose a challenge since the clinic must be able to provide evidence to the regulatory body that both the service work and any required follow-up tests were recorded and authorized by the appropriate staff. This article presents an integrated approach to tracking quality control tests and service event logs using QATrack+. The newly developed version of this quality assurance software integrates quality control tracking with the service event log, allowing a direct link between a service event and any initiating routine tests or follow-up tests that are performed. This improves the ability of a licensee to ensure compliance with regulations and permits a simple platform from which to access all machine equipment tests and service events. Furthermore, this improves the ability of a department to assess the service record of equipment and to identify trends in failure modes.