Program Information
Determining the Effectiveness of the Initial Physics Chart Check with the Use of An Electronic Checklist
A Geyer*, E Clouser , Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ
Presentations
SU-I-GPD-T-236 (Sunday, July 30, 2017) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall
Purpose: To assess the efficacy of error detection during the initial physics chart check using an in-house electronic checklist aiding in the process.
Methods: A suite of 20 patient plans were created, using historical patient plans as base plans, with intentional errors incorporated into 18 of the 20 plans. The simulated errors were determined by scoring potential errors based on the likelihood of occurrence, the severity of the error, and the potential detectability of the error. Within eight major categories found in Aria (External Beam planning, Prescribed Treatment, Documents, Plan Parameters, Journal Notes, Treatment Preparation, Reference Points, and Plan Scheduling), a total of 21 errors were simulated. For the 21 errors simulated, there was the possibility to recognize these errors and flag as “Needed Attention” in 31 locations within the initial physics chart check electronic checklist. In this study, nine physicists credentialed in the chart checking process completed the initial chart check on the suite of test plans over a five week period. The physicists were instructed to flag any errors encountered as “Needed Attention” within the electronic checklist. Items which needed attention were then compiled per user, as well as for the group as a whole, and the rate of error detection was calculated.
Results: Of the 21 errors simulated, error detection rates ranged from 44.44% to 100%, with an average error detection rate of 88.89%. Of the 31 possible detection points, the group identified 83.51% of these points as needing attention.
Conclusion: The electronic checklist has been a valuable tool in the identification of errors in patient plans prior to their treatment delivery, resulting in a high detection rate of induced errors within test plans. Although physicist were able to identify a majority of the errors within the plans, the goal of 100% error detection was not achieved.
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