Significance of using DICOM communication standard in quality assurance in radiation oncology - an institutional experience.

PURPOSE The purpose of this article was to highlight the importance of data management systems in radiotherapy. METHODS We performed a database search to review the errors or potential errors in radiotherapy planning and delivery which could be prevented in case of using the DICOM communication system. RESULTS We registered the following rates of errors: 1) Errors caused by manual rewriting of treatment plan 30%; 2) Errors caused by wrong assignment of the verification system 15%; 3) Errors during the manual rewriting of treatment data to the verification system 15%; 4) Patient identification 5%; 5) Field verification 15% 6) Wedge orientation 10%. CONCLUSION DICOM communication system may significantly improve the quality assurance in radiotherapy.