Keywords:
Computer applications, Experimental, Technology assessment, Radiotherapy techniques
Authors:
A. Ralston, J. Yuen; NSW/AU
DOI:
10.1594/ranzcr2018/R-0114
Methods and materials
The RABBIT system
RABBITs are Microsoft Word templates which guide the user through the following steps (Figure 1):
- A description of the project scope,
restrictions,
precautions,
and how well the project achieves compliance with legal requirements,
local policies and best practice guidelines;
- A review of how well prepared the local department is to start using the new technology or technique,
for example whether there are sufficient human and financial resources,
staff expertise and supporting infrastructure
- An evaluation of risks and benefits associated with the use of the new technology or technique in the local department,
and what mitigation actions are required; and
- An MDT decision on whether the benefits of clinical use outweigh the risks.
If yes then the RABBIT is signed off by representatives from each professional group and the new technology or technique is released for clinical use.
If not then further project preparation or risk mitigation actions are identified,
or the project scope is reduced,
for example by further limiting the patient selection criteria.
The SPA tool
The AAPM SPA (Safety Profile Assessment) tool [3,
4] is an open access online survey with 92 questions covering key aspects of safety and quality in radiotherapy departments.
A subset of ten questions were chosen as being the most relevant to the use of the RABBIT.
The survey responses were anonymous.
The study limitations included the small sample size and the possibility of recall bias due to the survey being retrospective.
The SPA website gives the worldwide average result for all institutions who have filled in the survey.
These average values for the ten questions used in this project were compared to the STGCCC results.