title: Preliminary Retrospective Analysis of Daily Tomotherapy Output Constancy Checks Using Statistical Process Control.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the results from a Helical TomoTherapy Hi-Art treatment system relating to quality controls based on daily static and dynamic output checks using statistical process control methods. Individual value X-charts, exponentially weighted moving average charts, and process capability and acceptability indices were used to monitor the treatment system performance. Daily output values measured from January 2014 to January 2015 were considered. The results obtained showed that, although the process was in control, there was an out-of-control situation in the principal maintenance intervention for the treatment system. In particular, process capability indices showed a decreasing percentage of points in control which was, however, acceptable according to AAPM TG148 guidelines. Our findings underline the importance of restricting the acceptable range of daily output checks and suggest a future line of investigation for a detailed process control of daily output checks for the Helical TomoTherapy Hi-Art treatment system.
authors: Medical Physics Department, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, FC, Italy.
authors: Emilio
authors: E
authors: Mezzenga
authors: Medical Physics Department, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, FC, Italy.
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: D'Errico
authors: Medical Physics Department, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, FC, Italy.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Sarnelli
authors: Laboratory of Medical Physics and Expert Systems, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
authors: Lidia
authors: L
authors: Strigari
authors: Medical Physics Department, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, FC, Italy.
authors: Enrico
authors: E
authors: Menghi
authors: Medical Physics Department, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, FC, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Marcocci
authors: Medical Physics Department, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, FC, Italy.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Bianchini
authors: Medical Physics Department, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, FC, Italy.
authors: Marcello
authors: M
authors: Benassi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011786:Quality Control; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome