title: Audit tool for external beam radiation therapy departments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Development of a self-contained audit tool for external beam radiation therapy to assess compliance with the major recommendations from professional organizations and generally accepted standards of practice. Intensity modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and volumetric modulated arc therapy were included in this review.
  
  
  METHODS
  A physics quality working group developed a department vision, distinguished and summarized key references, and condensed important elements of good documentation practices. The results were then compiled in a checklist format and used to perform audits at 3 sites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final audit tool contains 65 items spanning a wide range of external beam radiation therapy practices. Several of the audit items address issues not commonly identified by other authoritative sources. A total of 48 process improvements were identified at the 3 sites audited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The enclosed self-inspection list may be useful to a site as an annual review tool, as an aid in preparation for the American College of Radiology-American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology practice accreditation, or as a catalyst for general quality improvement. Sites can quickly identify opportunities for improvement by concentrating on high importance items and commonly identified areas of noncompliance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address: timritte@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ritter
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Balter
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Choonik
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Roberson