The position of the source is crucial for accurate treatment planning and delivery. The patient needs to be examined (through ultrasound, CT imaging, etc.) before treatment planning begins and before each treatment so that the geometry and positioning of the source to the intended target is precise and accurate. Each day before HDR treatment, the radiation therapist must utilize a departmental QA checklist. There are several components to this checklist.
• Visual inspection of transfer tubes~ to make sure that the source will have a clear pathway and will not get stuck or move slowly to the dwell position. The tubes need to be clear of any kinks or obstructions. Also, the tubes should be properly labeled, so that the correct tubes can be easily verified for treatment.
• Test for timer termination ~ make sure the source is retracted when the treatment time is up
• …show more content…
One camera on the HDR after loader, another where the source enters/exits the patient and the last one monitoring the “radiation monitor” lights inside the room. It is so important to have audio and visual communication during radiation therapy treatment. Especially in HDR treatments, the treating oncology staff, particularly the doctor needs to be able to monitor the patient at all times and visually sees the source smoothly enter and exit the patient.
• The survey meter needs to be turned on and tested for optimum operation before treatment
• Verification of current activity of radiation source. This is so important because if the calculation of the activity is incorrect, and the patient is treated, then the patient risks being under dosed or overdosed for that treatment due to the miscalculation and incorrect treatment
• Visual inspection of transfer tubes~ to make sure that the source will have a clear pathway and will not get stuck or move slowly to the dwell position. The tubes need to be clear of any kinks or obstructions. Also, the tubes should be properly labeled, so that the correct tubes can be easily verified for treatment.
• Test for timer termination ~ make sure the source is retracted when the treatment time is up
• …show more content…
One camera on the HDR after loader, another where the source enters/exits the patient and the last one monitoring the “radiation monitor” lights inside the room. It is so important to have audio and visual communication during radiation therapy treatment. Especially in HDR treatments, the treating oncology staff, particularly the doctor needs to be able to monitor the patient at all times and visually sees the source smoothly enter and exit the patient.
• The survey meter needs to be turned on and tested for optimum operation before treatment
• Verification of current activity of radiation source. This is so important because if the calculation of the activity is incorrect, and the patient is treated, then the patient risks being under dosed or overdosed for that treatment due to the miscalculation and incorrect treatment