Radiotherapy & Oncology
Volume 93, Issue 1 , Pages 137-140, October 2009

Time and motion study of radiotherapy delivery: Economic burden of increased quality assurance and IMRT

Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium

Received 25 November 2008; received in revised form 8 July 2009; accepted 18 July 2009. published online 04 September 2009.

Abstract 

Time measurements were performed on daily treatment delivery with the aim to quantify the impact of quality assurance (QA) using an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) on RT delivery time and to validate the time burden of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as an example of advanced technology.

Both increased QA and the delivery of IMRT were found to be significant parameters determining daily treatment time (TT), which in turn translates in increased treatment costs.

Keywords: Radiotherapy, Cost, Intensity modulated radiation therapy, Quality assurance

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0167-8140(09)00425-3

doi:10.1016/j.radonc.2009.07.007

Radiotherapy & Oncology
Volume 93, Issue 1 , Pages 137-140, October 2009

Article Tools