Radiation oncology practice is a collaborative effort that involves multiple clinical and technical specialists including physicians, medical physicists, dosimetrists and radiation therapists. Complexity arises because of the broad range of cancers treated, the variety of sophisticated equipment used and the significant amount of real-time data acquisition and interpretation needed to operate the equipment in a safe and effective manner. This is further compounded by the many interdependent steps occurring during radiotherapy sessions and the fact that processes regularly change as a result of the introduction of new, advanced technology. The growing complexity of radiation oncology procedures has been identified as a significant risk factor in causing patient treatment errors. A primary objective of a Comprehensive Radiation Oncology Quality and Safety Program is the design and clinical implementation of error prevention approaches that will minimize the incidence of radiotherapy adverse events that could potentially have negative impacts on patient safety.

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