ABSTRACT
Frequencies and tolerances for the individual QC tests and items for HDR systems are listed in Table 63.2. e table contains two sets of recommendations, illustrating some dierences in interpretation. e rst set is taken from the ESTRO Booklet #8 (Venselaar and Pérez-Calatayud 2004), the second set from AAPM TG56 (Nath et al. 1997). e ESTRO table is rather
In the ESTRO booklet, the recommendations for a given test frequency must be considered as a minimal, not as an optimal test frequency. An increase in the frequency of the test is
required whenever the stability of the system is suspect, or when the specic treatment method demands a special accuracy. e medical physicist should carefully consider which recommended test frequency is applicable in his or her clinical situation, considering:
e likelihood of the occurrence of a malfunction • e seriousness of the possible consequences of an unno-• ticed malfunction to patients and/or to the personnel e chances that, if a malfunction occurs, this will not be • identied during normal treatment applications
For example, it is recommended to formally check the performance of the warning lights in the treatment room, the proper functioning of the room radiation detector, and the audio and/or video communication system for the patient only once every 3-4 months and then to record the results of the check in a logbook. e reason is that it can be assumed that a malfunction of any of these systems will be quickly detected by the radiation technologists during their routine work. Starting the treatment and signing the documents for that treatment may implicitly assume that the daily tests were performed and that the results were satisfactory, according to a department’s written policy. Other departments may wish to develop special daily check forms to record and sign for the execution of these tests on satisfactory completion.
