FANC: Inspection campaign 2015-2016 in radiotherapy

Dear colleagues,

FANC held a campaign of inspections in radiotherapy departments in 2015 to 2016. Each center that uses a Cyberknife, Gammaknife or intra-operative electron accelerator was visited. They have communicated their findings to us. The original letter, in Dutch, is attached to this post.

In summary:
 

1. We are strongly recommended to formalize every acceptance/commissioning. An acceptance letter should accompany the usual file/folder of measurements and checks. This letter should state date of acceptance, names and signatures of the medical physics expert(s) commissioning the equipment, and a clear description of the technical parameters and conditions that are acceptable for clinical use. 
    
2. ARBIS article 51.6.5 states that all sources and radiological installations need to be submitted to quality control checks at least yearly by a medical physics expert. The quality control programme should include all clinically used accessories and applicators. It is not sufficient to only run tests with specialized applicators or accessories designed for quality control.
    
3. We are strongly recommended to participate in European or international work- and usergroups to share our experiences with uncommon equipment like Cyberknife, Gammaknife and IORT machines. FANC is aware that management needs to provide sufficient means to accomplish this.

These recommendations will be made explicit in the forthcoming royal decree.

Kind regards, on behalf of the board,

Frederik