Document Detail


Safety in radiation oncology: the role of international initiatives by the international atomic energy agency.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22051464     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has a wide range of initiatives that address the issue of safety. Quality assurance initiatives and comprehensive audits of radiotherapy services, such as the Quality Assurance Team for Radiation Oncology, are available through the IAEA. Furthermore, the experience of the IAEA in thermoluminescence dosimetric audits has been transferred to the national level in various countries and has contributed to improvements in the quality and safety of radiotherapy. The IAEA is also involved in the development of a safety reporting and analysis system (Safety in Radiation Oncology). In addition, IAEA publications describe and analyze factors contributing to safety-related incidents around the world. The lack of sufficient trained, qualified staff members is addressed through IAEA programs. Initiatives include national, regional, and interregional technical cooperation projects, educational workshops, and fellowship training for radiation oncology professionals, as well as technical assistance in developing and initiating local radiation therapy, safety education, and training programs. The agency is also active in developing staffing guidelines and encourages advanced planning at a national level, aided by information collection systems such as the Directory of Radiotherapy Centers and technical cooperation project personnel planning, to prevent shortages of staff. The IAEA also promotes the safe procurement of equipment for radiation therapy centers within a comprehensive technical cooperation program that includes clinical, medical physics, and radiation safety aspects and review of local infrastructure (room layout, shielding, utilities, and radiation safety), the availability of qualified staff members (radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation technologists and therapists), as well as relevant imaging, treatment planning, dosimetry, and quality control items. The IAEA has taken the lead in developing a comprehensive program that addresses all of these areas of concern and is actively contributing to the national and international efforts to make radiation therapy safer in all settings, including resource-limited settings.
Authors:
May Abdel-Wahab; Eduardo Rosenblatt; Ola Holmberg; Ahmed Meghzifene
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR     Volume:  8     ISSN:  1558-349X     ISO Abbreviation:  J Am Coll Radiol     Publication Date:  2011 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-11-04     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101190326     Medline TA:  J Am Coll Radiol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  789-94     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2011 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Applied Radiation Biology and Radiotherapy Section, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria; Cleveland Clinic and Taussig Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
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