Abstract
The Australian radiation protection and nuclear safety agency (ARPANSA) has continuously provided a level 1 mailed thermoluminescence dosimetry audit service for megavoltage photons since 2007. The purpose of the audit is to provide an independent verification of the reference dose output of a radiotherapy linear accelerator in a clinical environment. Photon beam quality measurements can also be made as part of the audit in addition to the output measurements. The results of all audits performed between 2007 and 2010 are presented. The average of all reference beam output measurements calculated as a clinically stated dose divided by an ARPANSA measured dose is 0.9993. The results of all beam quality measurements calculated as a clinically stated quality divided by an ARPANSA measured quality is 1.0087. Since 2011 the provision of all auditing services has been transferred from the Ionizing Radiation Standards section to the Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service (ACDS) which is currently housed within ARPANSA.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Scalliet P et al (2007) Comprehensive audits of radiotherapy practices: a tool for quality improvement: quality assurance team for radiation oncology (QUATRO). International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna
Huntley RB, Nette HP (1993) International atomic energy agency/World health organisation TLD radiotherapy dosimetry intercomparison. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 16:44–48
Huntley R, Izewska J (2000) The 1998 Australian external beam radiotherapy survey and IAEA/WHO TLD postal dose quality audit. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 23:21–29
Izewska J, Andreo P (2000) The IAEA/WHO TLD postal programme for radiotherapy hospitals. Radiother Oncol 54:65–72
Andreo P, Burns DT, Hohlfeld K, Huq MS, Kanai T, Laitano F, Smyth V, Vynckier S (2000) Absorbed dose determination in external beam radiotherapy: an international code of practice for dosimetry based on standards of absorbed dose to water. IAEA, Vienna. ISSN 1011–4289
Izewska J, Olko P (2004) Maintenance of the thermoluminescence (TL) reference dosimetry system for radiotherapy. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna
Rogers DWO, Walters B, Kawrakow I (2011) BEAMnrc users manual, NRC report PIRS-0509(A)revL
Rogers DWO, Kawrakow I, Seuntjens JP, Walters BRB, Mainegra-Hing E (2011) NRC user codes for EGSnrc, NRC report PIRS-702(revC)
Hultqvist M, Fernandez-Varea JM, Izewska J (2010) Monte Carlo simulation of correction factors for IAEA TLD holders. Phys Med Biol 55:N161–N166
Brown RL, Butler DJ (2010) The 2009 survey of therapy equipment and dosimetry practices in Australian radiotherapy centres. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 33:285–297
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Oliver, C.P., Butler, D.J. & Webb, D.V. The Australian radiation protection and nuclear safety agency megavoltage photon thermoluminescence dosimetry postal audit service 2007–2010. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 35, 105–108 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-012-0127-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-012-0127-3