A Pilot Study of CT Simulator Downtime at an African Cancer Conference: Survey Results from AORTIC 2023.

IF 6.4 1区医学 Q1 ONCOLOGY International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics Pub Date : 2025-02-26 DOI:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2025.02.019

Michael P Dykstra, Tucker J Netherton, Nwamaka N Lasebikan, Diane A Ndoli, Solomon Kibbude, Bello A Mohammed, Peter Balter, Adam D Melancon, Donald Roberts, Jeniffer L Shah, Julianna Coleman, Mercy N Kitonyi, Abba Mallum, Graeme L Lazarus, Angela K Waweru, William Shaw, Sarah T Hawley, Lauren P Wallner, Laurence E Court

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: CT simulation is required for centers performing 3D conformal radiotherapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy. Therefore, CT simulator downtime is likely to lead to delays in patient care. We sought to characterize CT simulator downtime within the African context.

Materials and methods: A pilot clinician survey was developed to evaluate CT simulator downtime frequency, causes, and workflow impact over the last year. It was distributed to African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) Conference attendees in November 2023 and through radiotherapy networks on the African continent. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data.

Results: Responses were obtained for 22 CT scanners in 16 centers across 9 African countries. Nigeria (n=6) and South Africa (n=3) had the most centers represented. Most centers (n=10, 63%) had a single CT scanner capable of simulation, five (31%) had two, and one (6%) had three scanners. For the 19 CT simulators with downtime information available, 11 (58%) were down for at least 15 days in the last year. Median downtime per episode was 3.5 days [IQR 1 - 9.75]. Three CT simulators were down all year, two of which were the only CT simulator at their respective centers. CT simulators were down due to intrinsic causes for median 8 days [IQR 3 - 37.5] and extrinsic causes for median 1 day [IQR 0 - 7.5]. Most machines (n=17, 77%) were under an active maintenance contract. Most centers (n=11, 69%) lacked access to an alternate CT scanner for simulation during downtime, while three (19%) maintained normal workflow.

Conclusions: CT simulator downtime is highly variable across the African continent and can cause significant disruptions in radiotherapy treatment at some centers. Intrinsic causes led to most downtime. These results suggest reducing CT simulator downtime frequency and duration or implementing simulation-free workflows may decrease patient delays.

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来源期刊

International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics 医学-核医学

CiteScore

11.00

自引率

7.10%

发文量

2538

审稿时长

6.6 weeks

期刊介绍： International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (IJROBP), known in the field as the Red Journal, publishes original laboratory and clinical investigations related to radiation oncology, radiation biology, medical physics, and both education and health policy as it relates to the field. This journal has a particular interest in original contributions of the following types: prospective clinical trials, outcomes research, and large database interrogation. In addition, it seeks reports of high-impact innovations in single or combined modality treatment, tumor sensitization, normal tissue protection (including both precision avoidance and pharmacologic means), brachytherapy, particle irradiation, and cancer imaging. Technical advances related to dosimetry and conformal radiation treatment planning are of interest, as are basic science studies investigating tumor physiology and the molecular biology underlying cancer and normal tissue radiation response.