Critique of traditional quality assurance paradigm

International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
Bruce R Thomadsen

Abstract

Radiotherapy was one of the first medical specialties to incorporate quality assurance (QA) into routine practices. Over the years, QA has become more comprehensive and time consuming. Following all the recommended QA procedures would burden the resources of most physics staffs. Much of the QA in recommendations serves no effective role. Performing all appropriate QA for the treatment units does not necessarily prevent events that result in patient injury. Equipment failures that have produced injury often occur with no warning. The human reactions to such failures will determine whether injury will follow. In addition, most events occur, not because of equipment failures, but because of human actions. Effective QA needs to consider procedures, rather than just equipment, and the human actions and interactions required for safe execution. New approaches address this problem.

References

Dec 29, 2000·Medical Physics·B PaliwalT R Makie
Apr 17, 2003·Physics in Medicine and Biology·C M MaA L Boyer
Oct 8, 2003·Medical Physics·Susan L RichardsonBhudatt R Paliwal
Nov 25, 2003·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·Bruce ThomadsenJudith Stitt
May 18, 2005·Medical Physics·Nathan L ChildressIsaac I Rosen

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Citations

Sep 22, 2009·Cancer radiothérapie : journal de la Société française de radiothérapie oncologique·P Francois, E Lartigau
May 31, 2017·Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment·Justus D AdamsonJohn Kirkpatrick

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