PRE-TREATMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM

The coupling knob that holds the applicator in place should be clean and free moving. If this is not the case wipe the coupling knob with alcohol wipes. If this is not sufficient coupling knob may need to be dismantled and cleaned thoroughly or replaced.

The plastic tip of the catheter should be checked for any cracks and dirt or other particles. If there is any cracks the catheters should be replaced and screwed in tightly.

The fault instruction folder should be checked.

Turn the Selectron on with the key and enter the date and time in the format requested. No errors should be reported by the Selectron.

Program the Selectron so that each channel has three or four active pellets in its train. Check that the position number to be active has its LED lit up on the panel. Load the source trains in to the intermediate safe. When this is done successfully unload the programmed channels.

This should be checked to see if the Selectron will perform properly under treatment conditions. Instructions:-Attach the applicator to the catheters. Load the channels with inactive pellets for a maximum treatment time of 00.06hours. Start the treatment from the "START" button the Remote Control. Stop the treatment with the "STOP" button on the Remote Control.

To do the linear accuracy test check, a time of 0.04 hours is sampled to see if the Selectron timer is working accurately. A stop watch should be used.

Restart the treatment. Start the stop watch when the timer on the remote control changes from 0.06 to 0.05. Stop the stop watch when the timer changes from 0.02 to 0.01. Note the stop watch time. Record time and compare the time with that of the stop watch. A 1% error is equal to 1.5seconds. If the error is more than 1% repeat the test with longer treatment time sample. If the error is more than 1%, repeat the test with longer treatment time sample. If the error still persists, report the error to the physicist in charge of maintenance of the machine.

Instructions:-Lift the phone on the remote control station and talk into it or tap it. Listen for the sounds from the inside the treatment room

Instructions:-Check on the remote controls outside the treatment rooms and on the nursing unit, that the alarm LED is not eliminated.

Instructions:-Check that the name above the bed is the same as the name on the patient prescription sheet. If in doubt ask the patient their name and date of birth.

TREATMENT QA PROGRAM

Check that the name above the bed is the same as the name on the patient prescription sheet.

Make sure that the bed contains the required lead shielding.

Make sure the treatment time matches the time on the timer.

Make sure a radiation warning sign is on the door when patient treatment starts.

Once the patient is connected to the machine and treatment is started, check that the radiation monitor in the treatment
room lights up as the pellets go past it, and remains on once the pellets are in the patient.

Ensure that the timer is counting down correctly, till the end of the treatment time.

The audible alarms should be checked.

POST-TREATMENT QA PROGRAM

Check that the programmed channel is connected to the right patient. This is particularly important when two patients are being treated simultaneously.

Make sure before treatment starts the patient is lying on a yellow bed. The yellow bed contains the required lead shielding. Do not start treatment until the patient is lying on a yellow bed.

Check that the treatment time correct because a 1% error in 24 hours corresponds to approximately a 15 minute time difference.

Before patient start the treatment, get the radiation warning signs. Make sure a sign is on the door when patient treatment starts.

Once the patient is connected to the Selectron and treatment is started. Check that the radiation monitor in the treatment room lights up as the pellets go past it, and remains on once the pellets are in the patient. 8