title: Evaluation of time, attendance of medical staff and resources for radiotherapy in pediatric and adolescent patients. The DEGRO-QUIRO trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) initiated a multicenter trial to develop and evaluate adequate modules to assert core procedures in radiotherapy. The aim of this prospective evaluation was to methodical assess the required resources for radiotherapy in pediatric and adolescent patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  At three radiotherapy centers of excellence (University Hospitals of Heidelberg and Münster, the Medical School of Hannover), the manpower and time required for radiotherapy in pediatric and adolescent patients was prospectively documented consistently over a 2-year period. The data were collected using specifically developed standard forms and were evaluated using specific process analysis tools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total number of 1914 data sets were documented and carefully analyzed. The personnel time requirements for all occupational groups were calculated as total time needed for a specific procedure and mean time per person. Regarding radiotherapy in general anesthesia, the required manpower was higher. The personnel time requirements in these cases were also longer, mainly due to longer room occupancy. Overall, the required resources were remarkably similar between the three different departments and may, therefore, be considered as representative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the first time, the personnel time requirements of a radiotherapy department for the maintenance, protection, and optimization of operational readiness for radiotherapy in pediatric and adolescent patients with and without general anesthesia were determined methodically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and RadioOncology, University of Heidelberg, INF 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany, Angelika_Zabel@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zabel-du Bois
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Milker-Zabel
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bruns
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: Normann
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Willich
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Popp
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Debus
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002648:Child; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005858:Germany; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018787:Radiation Oncology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000078329:Workforce