title: Implementation of a new cost efficacy method for blood irradiation using a non dedicated device.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To implement a new cost efficacy internal Service for blood component irradiation, we carried out specific procedures and quality assurance reports using the linear accelerators (LINACs) of the Regina Elena Institute (IRE) Radiotherapy Department instead of a dedicated device.
  
  
  METHODS
  The technical aspects, quality assurance and regulatory requirements of the internal procedure to set up a local irradiated blood bank have been defined. The LINACs of the IRE Radiotherapy Department were used to deliver a mean dose of 32 Gy and dose accuracy was checked with gafchromic film. The overall time/cost of this procedure was compared with the previous procedure, out-sourcing the irradiation of blood components.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1996 blood component units were internally irradiated in the first year. Moreover, reducing the overall procedure time by a third. Overall cost/bag of external and internal procedures was approx. 66 € and 11 €, respectively. Thus the average saving of cost/bag was higher than 80%. The use of gafchromic films in all irradiated blood component bags allowed the accuracy of the dose delivered to blood to be checked.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By utilizing LINACs installed in the Radiotherapy Department it is possible to provide an internal blood component irradiation service, capitalizing on internal resources without any inconvenience/discomfort to patients undergoing radiotherapy and satisfying governmental regulatory requirements. The internal irradiation procedures has proven to be safe and feasible, and along with the significant cost/time reduction suggests that it is more advantageous than external procedures.
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapy Department, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pinnarò
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soriani
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: D'Alessio
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Maria Laura
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Foddai
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pinzi
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Strigari
mesh_terms: D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002138:Calibration; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010315:Particle Accelerators / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013997:Time Factors