Report of Task Group 201 of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine: Quality management of external beam therapy data transfer

With the advancement of data-intensive technologies, such as image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and intensity-modulated (IMRT), amount complexity data to be transferred between clinical subsystems have increased beyond reach manual checking. As a result, unintended treatment deviations (e.g., dose errors) may occur if system is not closely monitored by comprehensive transfer quality management program (QM). This report summarizes findings recommendations from task group (TG) on assurance (QA) external beam (TG-201), with aim assist medical physicists in designing their own QM. background, section this describes various models flow (distributed repositories single base systems) general test characteristics (data integrity, interpretation, consistency). Recommended tests are suggested based collective experience TG-201 members. These for acceptance of, commissioning upgrades that store and/or modify data. continues evolve, we will need do know more about ensuring transfers. The concludes recommendation move toward open standards compatibility develop tools automate QA.