title: A thermoluminescent dosimetry postal dose inter-comparison of radiation therapy centres in Malaysia.
abstract: A thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) postal dose inter-comparison was carried out amongst radiotherapy centres in Malaysia. The aim of this TLD inter-comparison was to compare the uniformity involved in the measurement of absorbed dose among the participating centres. A set of 5 TLD chips placed within acrylic trays were mailed to all participating centres for irradiation to an absorbed dose to water of 2 Gy. Measurements were made for 6 MV and 60Co photon beams. Results show an agreement of +/- 5% for all but three radiotherapy centres. The ratios of the TLD readings to that of the reference centre are comparable with other national/regional dose inter-comparisons. The importance of a proper ongoing quality assurance program is essential in maintaining the consistency and uniformity of doses delivered.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Oncology Unit, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. rassiah@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rassiah
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: DeWerd
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kunugi
mesh_terms: D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008296:Malaysia; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D009684:Nuclear Medicine Department, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000592:standards*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage / Q000592:standards*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000592:standards*; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry / Q000592:standards*