Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(A)
Possession of Survey
Instrument(s). Each facility location authorized to use a
therapeutic radiation machine in accordance with 105 CMR 120.437 shall possess
appropriately calibrated portable monitoring equipment. As a minimum, such
equipment shall include a portable radiation measurement survey instrument
capable of measuring dose rates over the range ten Sv (one mrem) per hour to
ten mSv (1000 mrem) per hour. The survey instrument(s) shall be operable and
calibrated in accordance with
105 CMR
120.438.
(B)
Leakage Radiation Outside the
Maximum Useful Beam in Photon and Electron Modes.
(1) The absorbed dose due to leakage
radiation (excluding neutrons) at any point outside the maximum sized useful
beam, but within a circular plane of radius two meters which is perpendicular
to and centered on the central axis of the useful beam at the nominal treatment
distance (i.e. patient plane), shall not exceed a maximum of
0.2% and an average of 0.1% of the absorbed dose on the central axis of the
beam at the nominal treatment distance. Measurements shall be averaged over an
area not exceeding 100 square centimeters at a minimum of 16 points uniformly
distributed in the plane;
(2)
Except for the area defined in 105 CMR 120.437(B)(1), the absorbed dose due to
leakage radiation (excluding neutrons) at one meter from the electron path
between the electron source and the target or electron window shall not exceed
0.5% of the absorbed dose on the central axis of the beam at the nominal
treatment distance. Measurements shall be averaged over an area not exceeding
100 square centimeters;
(3) For
equipment manufactured after July 9, 1999, the neutron absorbed dose outside
the useful beam shall be in compliance with International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) Document 601-2-1 (most current revision); and
(4) For each therapeutic radiation machine,
the registrant shall determine, or obtain from the manufacturer, the leakage
radiation existing at the positions specified in 105 CMR 120.437(B)(1) through
(B)(3) for the specified operating conditions. Records on leakage radiation
measurements shall be maintained at the installation for inspection by the
Agency.
(C)
Leakage Radiation Through Beam Limiting Devices.
(1)
Photon
Radiation. The secondary collimators shall attenuate the useful
beam such that at the nominal treatment distance, the maximum absorbed dose
anywhere in the area shielded by the beam limiting device(s) shall not exceed
2% (averaged over a one cm squared area) of the maximum absorbed dose on the
central axis of the useful beam measured in a 100 cm2
radiation field, or maximum available field size if less than 100
cm2;
(2)
Electron Radiation. All adjustable or interchangeable
electron applicators shall attenuate the radiation, including but not limited
to photon radiation generated by electrons incident on the beam limiting device
and electron applicator and other parts of the radiation head, such that the
absorbed dose in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the useful beam
at the nominal treatment distance shall not exceed:
(a) A maximum of 2% and average of 0.5% of
the absorbed dose on the central axis of the useful beam at the nominal
treatment distance. This limit shall apply beyond a line seven centimeters
outside the periphery of the useful beam; and
(b) A maximum of 10% of the absorbed dose on
the central axis of the useful beam at the nominal treatment distance. This
limit shall apply beyond a line two centimeters outside the periphery of the
useful beam.
(3)
Measurement of Leakage Radiation.
(a)
Photon
Radiation. Measurements of leakage radiation through the beam
limiting devices shall be made with the beam limiting devices closed and any
residual aperture blocked by at least two tenth value layers of suitable
absorbing material. In the case of overlapping beam limiting devices, the
leakage radiation through each set shall be measured independently at the depth
of maximum dose. Measurements shall be made using a radiation detector of area
not exceeding ten square centimeters;
(b)
Electron
Radiation. Measurements of leakage radiation through the electron
applicators shall be made with the electron beam directed into the air and
using a radiation detector of area up to but not exceeding one square
centimeter suitably protected against radiation which has been scattered from
material beyond the radiation detector. Measurements shall be made using one
centimeter of water equivalent build up material.
(D)
Filters/Wedges.
(1)
Each wedge filter which is removable from the system shall be clearly marked
with an identification number. For removable wedge filters, the nominal wedge
angle shall appear on the wedge or wedge tray (if permanently mounted to the
tray). If the wedge or wedge tray is significantly damaged, the wedge
transmission factor shall be redetermined;
(2) If the absorbed dose rate information
required by 105 CMR 120.437(I) relates exclusively to operation with a field
flattening filter or beam scattering foil in place, such foil or filter shall
be removable only by the use of tools;
(3) For equipment manufactured after the
effective date of these regulations which utilize a system of wedge filters,
interchangeable field flattening filters, or interchangeable beam scattering
foils:
(a) Irradiation shall not be possible
until a selection of a filter or a positive selection to use "no filter" has
been made at the treatment control panel, either manually or
automatically;
(b) An interlock
system shall be provided to prevent irradiation if the filter selected is not
in the correct position;
(c) A
display shall be provided at the treatment control panel showing the wedge
filter(s), interchangeable field flattening filter(s), and/or interchangeable
beam scattering foil(s) in use; and
(d) An interlock shall be provided to prevent
irradiation if any filter and/or beam scattering foil selection operation
carried out in the treatment room does not agree with the filter and/or beam
scattering foil selection operation carried out at the treatment control
panel.
(E)
X-ray/Neutron Contamination of the Useful Beam. For
equipment manufactured after the effective date of these regulations, the
registrant shall determine during acceptance testing, or obtain from the
manufacturer, data sufficient to ensure that x-ray stray radiation in the
useful electron beam, absorbed dose at the surface during x-ray irradiation and
stray neutron radiation in the useful x-ray beam are in compliance with
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Document 601-2-1 (most current
revision).
(F)
Beam
Monitors. All therapeutic radiation machines subject to 105 CMR
120.437 shall be provided with redundant beam monitoring systems. The sensors
for these systems shall be fixed in the useful beam during treatment to
indicate the dose monitor unit rate.
(1)
Equipment manufactured after the effective date of these regulations shall be
provided with at least two independently powered integrating dose meters.
Alternatively, common elements may be used if the production of radiation is
terminated upon failure of any common element.
(2) Equipment manufactured on or before the
effective date of these regulations shall be provided with at least one
radiation detector. This detector shall be incorporated into a useful beam
monitoring system;
(3) The detector
and the system into which that detector is incorporated shall meet the
following requirements:
(a) Each detector
shall be removable only with tools and, if movable, shall be interlocked to
prevent incorrect positioning;
(b)
Each detector shall form part of a beam monitoring system from whose readings
in dose monitor units the absorbed dose at a reference point can be
calculated;
(c) Each beam
monitoring system shall be capable of independently monitoring, interrupting,
and terminating irradiation; and
(d) For equipment manufactured after the
effective date of these regulations, the design of the beam monitoring systems
shall ensure that the:
1. Malfunctioning of
one system shall not affect the correct functioning of the other system(s);
and
2. Failure of either system
shall terminate irradiation or prevent the initiation of radiation.
(e) Each beam monitoring system
shall have a legible display at the treatment control panel. For equipment
manufactured after the effective date of these regulations, each display shall:
1. Maintain a reading until intentionally
reset;
2. Have only one scale and
no electrical or mechanical scale multiplying factors;
3. Utilize a design such that increasing dose
is displayed by increasing numbers; and
4. In the event of power failure, the beam
monitoring information required in 105 CMR 120.437(F)(3)(e)3. displayed at the
control panel at the time of failure shall be retrievable in at least one
system for a 20 minute period of time.
(G)
Beam
Symmetry.
(1) Bent-beam linear
accelerators subject to 105 CMR 120.437 shall be provided with auxiliary
device(s) to monitor beam symmetry;
(2) The device(s) referenced in 105 CMR
120.437(G)(1) shall be able to detect field asymmetry greater than 10%;
and
(3) The device(s) referenced in
105 CMR 120.437(G)(1) shall be configured to terminate irradiation if the
specifications in 105 CMR 120.437(G)(2) can not be maintained.
(H)
Selection and
Display of Dose Monitor Units.
(1) Irradiation shall not be possible until a
new selection of a number of dose monitor units has been made at the treatment
control panel;
(2) The pre-selected
number of dose monitor units shall be displayed at the treatment control panel
until reset manually for the next irradiation;
(3) After termination of irradiation, it
shall be necessary to reset the dosimeter display before subsequent treatment
can be initiated; and
(4) For
equipment manufactured after the effective date of these regulations, after
termination of irradiation, it shall be necessary for the operator to reset the
pre-selected dose monitor units before irradiation can be initiated.
(I)
Air Kerma
Rate/Absorbed Dose Rate. For equipment manufactured after October
6, 2006, a system shall be provided from whose readings the air kerma rate or
absorbed dose rate at a reference point can be calculated. [The radiation
detectors specified in 105 CMR 120.437(F) may form part of this system.] In
addition:
(1) The dose monitor unit rate
shall be displayed at the treatment control panel;
(2) If the equipment can deliver under any
conditions an air kerma rate or absorbed dose rate at the nominal treatment
distance more than twice the maximum value specified by the manufacturer, a
device shall be provided which terminates irradiation when the air kerma rate
or absorbed dose rate exceeds a value twice the specified maximum. The dose
rate at which the irradiation will be terminated shall be a record maintained
by the registrant;
(3) If the
equipment can deliver under any fault condition(s) an air kerma rate or
absorbed dose rate at the nominal treatment distance more than ten times the
maximum value specified by the manufacturer, a device shall be provided to
prevent the air kerma rate or absorbed dose rate anywhere in the radiation
field from exceeding twice the specified maximum value and to terminate
irradiation if the excess absorbed dose at the nominal treatment distance
exceeds four Gy (400 rad); and
(4)
For each therapeutic radiation machine, the registrant shall determine, or
obtain from the manufacturer, the maximum value(s) specified in 105 CMR
120.437(I)(2) and (I)(3) for the specified operating conditions. Records of
these maximum value(s) shall be maintained at the installation for inspection
by the Agency.
(J)
Termination of Irradiation by the Beam Monitoring System or Systems
During Stationary Beam Radiation Therapy.
(1) Each primary system shall terminate
irradiation when the pre-selected number of dose monitor units has been
detected by the system;
(2) If the
original design of the equipment included a secondary dose monitoring system,
that system shall be capable of terminating irradiation when not more than 15%
or 40 dose monitor units above the pre-selected number of dose monitor units
set at the control panel has been detected by the secondary dose monitoring
system; and
(3) For equipment
manufactured after July 9, 1999, an indicator on the control panel shall show
which monitoring system has terminated irradiation.
(K)
Termination of
Irradiation. It shall be possible to terminate irradiation and
equipment movement or go from an interruption condition to termination
condition at any time from the operator's position at the treatment control
panel.
(L)
Interruption
of Irradiation. If a therapeutic radiation machine has an
interrupt mode, it shall be possible to interrupt irradiation and equipment
movements at any time from the treatment control panel. Following an
interruption it shall be possible to restart irradiation by operator action
without any reselection of operating conditions. If any change is made of a
pre-selected value during an interruption, irradiation and equipment movements
shall be automatically terminated.
(M)
Timer. A
suitable irradiation control device shall be provided to terminate the
irradiation after a pre-set time interval.
(1) A timer shall be provided which has a
display at the treatment control panel. The timer shall have a pre-set time
selector and an elapsed time indicator;
(2) The timer shall be a cumulative timer
which activates with an indication of "BEAM-ON" and retains its reading after
irradiation is interrupted or terminated. After irradiation is terminated and
before irradiation can be reinitiated, it shall be necessary to reset the
elapsed time indicator;
(3) The
timer shall terminate irradiation when a pre-selected time has elapsed, if the
dose monitoring systems have not previously terminated irradiation.
(N)
Selection of
Radiation Type. Equipment capable of both x-ray therapy and
electron therapy shall meet the following additional requirements:
(1) Irradiation shall not be possible until a
selection of radiation type (x-rays or electrons) has been made at the
treatment control panel;
(2) The
radiation type selected shall be displayed at the treatment control panel
before and during irradiation;
(3)
An interlock system shall be provided to ensure that the equipment can
principally emit only the radiation modality which has been selected;
(4) An interlock system shall be provided to
prevent irradiation with x-rays, except to obtain an image, when electron
applicators are fitted;
(5) An
interlock system shall be provided to prevent irradiation with electrons when
accessories specific for x-ray therapy are fitted; and
(6) An interlock system shall be provided to
prevent irradiation if any selected operations carried out in the treatment
room do not agree with the selected operations carried out at the treatment
control panel.
(O)
Selection of Energy. Equipment capable of generating
radiation beams of different energies shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Irradiation shall not be possible until a
selection of energy has been made at the treatment control panel;
(2) The nominal energy value selected shall
be displayed at the treatment control panel until reset manually for the next
irradiation. After termination of irradiation, it shall be necessary to reset
the nominal energy value selected before subsequent treatment can be
initiated;
(3) Irradiation shall
not be possible until the appropriate flattening filter or scattering foil for
the selected energy is in its proper location; and
(4) For equipment manufactured after July 9,
1999, the selection of energy shall be in compliance with International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Document 601-2-1 (most current
revision).
(P)
Selection of Stationary Beam Radiation Therapy or Moving Beam
Radiation Therapy. Therapeutic radiation machines capable of both
stationary beam radiation therapy and moving beam radiation therapy shall meet
the following requirements:
(1) Irradiation
shall not be possible until a selection of stationary beam radiation therapy or
moving beam radiation therapy has been made at the treatment control
panel;
(2) The mode of operation
shall be displayed at the treatment control panel;
(3) An interlock system shall be provided to
ensure that the equipment can operate only in the mode which has been
selected;
(4) An interlock system
shall be provided to prevent irradiation if any selected parameter in the
treatment room does not agree with the selected parameter at the treatment
control panel;
(5) Moving beam
radiation therapy shall be controlled to obtain the selected relationships
between incremental dose monitor units and incremental movement. For equipment
manufactured after July 9, 1999:
(a) An
interlock system shall be provided to terminate irradiation if the number of
dose monitor units delivered in any 10° of rotation or one cm of linear
motion differs by more than 20% from the selected value;
(b) Where angle terminates the irradiation in
moving beam radiation therapy, the dose monitor units delivered shall differ by
less than 5% from the dose monitor unit value selected;
(c) An interlock shall be provided to prevent
motion of more than 5° or one cm beyond the selected limits during moving
beam radiation therapy;
(d) An
interlock shall be provided to require that a selection of direction be made at
the treatment control panel in all units which are capable of both clockwise
and counter-clockwise moving beam radiation therapy.
(e) Moving beam radiation therapy shall be
controlled with both primary position sensors and secondary position sensors to
obtain the selected relationships between incremental dose monitor units and
incremental movement.
(6) Where the beam monitor system terminates
the irradiation in moving beam radiation therapy, the termination of
irradiation shall be as required by 105 CMR 120.437(J); and
(7) For equipment manufactured after July 9,
1999, an interlock system shall be provided to terminate irradiation if
movement:
(a) Occurs during stationary beam
radiation therapy; or
(b) Does not
start or stops during moving beam radiation therapy unless such stoppage is a
pre-planned function.
(Q)
Facility Design Requirements
for Therapeutic Radiation Machines Operating above 500 kV. In
addition to shielding adequate to meet requirements of
105 CMR
120.439, the following design requirements
are made:
(1)
Protective
Barriers. All protective barriers shall be fixed, except for
access doors to the treatment room or movable beam interceptors;
(2)
Control Panel.
In addition to other requirements specified in 105 CMR 120.430, the control
panel shall also:
(a) Be located outside the
treatment room;
(b) Provide an
indication of whether electrical power is available at the control panel and if
activation of the radiation is possible;
(c) Provide an indication of whether
radiation is being produced; and
(d) Include an access control (locking)
device which will prevent unauthorized use of the therapeutic radiation
machine;
(3)
Viewing Systems. Windows, mirrors, closed-circuit
television or an equivalent viewing system shall be provided to permit
continuous observation of the patient following positioning and during
irradiation and shall be so located that the operator may observe the patient
from the treatment control panel. The therapeutic radiation machine shall not
be used for patient irradiation unless at least one viewing system is
operational;
(4)
Aural
Communications. Provision shall be made for continuous two-way
aural communication between the patient and the operator at the control panel.
The therapeutic radiation machine shall not be used for irradiation of patients
unless continuous two-way aural communication is possible;
(5)
Room Entrances.
Treatment room entrances shall be provided with warning lights in a readily
observable position near the outside of all access doors, which will indicate
when the useful beam is "ON" and when it is "OFF";
(6)
Entrance
Interlocks. Interlocks shall be provided such that all access
controls are activated before treatment can be initiated or continued. If the
radiation beam is interrupted by any access control, it shall not be possible
to restore the machine to operation without resetting the access control and
reinitiating irradiation by manual action at the control panel;
(7)
Beam Interceptor
Interlocks. If the shielding material in any protective barrier
requires the presence of a beam interceptor to ensure compliance with
105 CMR
120.221(A) and (B),
interlocks shall be provided to prevent the production of radiation, unless the
beam interceptor is in place, whenever the useful beam is directed at the
designated barrier(s);
(8)
Sliding Shielding Doors. Registrants with treatment
rooms which utilize sliding shielding doors or other doors so massive that they
may become jammed in the case of catastrophe will have in place an emergency
plan to address such failure. In addition:
(a)
Each door to a treatment room installed after July 9, 1999 will be equipped
with an independent means of opening operable by a single able
individual;
(b) Each sliding door
installed after July 91, 1999 will be equipped with an electronic sensor which
will immediately stop and disable the door closer (or reverse its motion) in
the event of an imminent collision between the door and a person or object in
its path.
(9)
Emergency Cutoff Switches. At least three emergency
power cutoff switch shall be located in the radiation therapy room and shall
terminate all equipment electrical power including radiation and mechanical
motion. This switch is in addition to the termination switch required by 105
CMR 120.437(K). All emergency power cutoff switches shall include a manual
reset so that the therapeutic radiation machine cannot be restarted from the
unit's control console without resetting the emergency cutoff switch;
(10)
Safety
Interlocks. All safety interlocks shall be designed so that any
defect or component failure in the safety interlock system prevents or
terminates operation of the therapeutic radiation machine; and
(11)
Surveys for Residual
Radiation. Surveys for residual activity shall be conducted on all
therapeutic radiation machines capable of generating photon and electron
energies above 10 MV prior to machining, removing, or working on therapeutic
radiation machine components which may have become activated due to
photo-neutron production.
(R)
Qualified Medical Physicist
Support.
(1) The services of a
Qualified Medical Physicist shall be required in facilities having therapeutic
radiation machines with energies of 500 kV and above. The Qualified Medical
Physicist shall be responsible for:
(a) Full
calibration(s) required by 105 CMR 120.437(T) and protection surveys required
by
105
CMR 120.434(A);
(b) Supervision and review of
dosimetry;
(c) Beam data
acquisition and transfer for computerized dosimetry, and supervision of its
use;
(d) Quality assurance,
including quality assurance check review required by 105 CMR
120.437(U)(5);
(e) Consultation
with the authorized user in treatment planning, as needed; and
(f) Perform calculations/assessments
regarding medical events.
(2) Radiation therapy facilities shall have a
minimum of one half-time qualified medical physicist available on a regular, on
going, basis. In addition, radiation therapy facilities will have a minimum of
one full time equivalent qualified medical physicist for every 500 total
patients per year.
(3) If the
Qualified Medical Physicist is not a full-time employee of the registrant, the
operating procedures required by 105 CMR 120.437(S) shall also specifically
address how the Qualified Medical Physicist is to be contacted for problems or
emergencies, as well as the specific actions, if any, to be taken until the
Qualified Medical Physicist can be contacted.
(S)
Operating
Procedures.
(1) No individual,
other than the patient, shall be in the treatment room during treatment or
during any irradiation for testing or calibration purposes;
(2) Therapeutic radiation machines shall not
be made available for medical use unless the requirements of
105
CMR 120.434(A), 120.437(T)
and (U) have been met;
(3)
Therapeutic radiation machines, when not in operation, shall be secured to
prevent unauthorized use;
(4) When
adjustable beam limiting devices are used, the position and shape of the
radiation field shall be indicated by a light field.
(5) If a patient must be held in position
during treatment, mechanical supporting or restraining devices shall be used;
and
(6) A copy of the current
operating and emergency procedures shall be maintained at the therapeutic
radiation machine control console.
(T)
Acceptance Testing,
Commissioning and Full Calibration Measurements.
(1) Acceptance testing, commissioning and
full calibration of a therapeutic radiation machine subject to 105 CMR 120.437
shall be performed by, or under the direct supervision of, a Qualified Medical
Physicist.
(2) Acceptance testing
and commissioning shall be performed in accordance with "AAPM Code of Practice
for Radiotherapy Accelerators: Report of AAPM Radiation Therapy Task Group 45"
or most current AAPM recommendation or most current AAPM published
recommendations and shall be conducted before the first medical use following
installation or reinstallation of the therapeutic radiation machine.
(3) Full calibration shall include
measurement of all parameters required by Table II of "Comprehensive QA for
Radiation Oncology: Report of AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee Task Group 40"
or the most current AAPM published recommendations and shall be performed in
accordance with "AAPM Code of Practice for Radiotherapy Accelerators: Report of
AAPM Radiation Therapy Task Group 45" or most current AAPM recommendation or
the most current AAPM published recommendations. Although it shall not be
necessary to complete all elements of a full calibration at the same time, all
parameters (for all energies) shall be completed at intervals not exceeding 12
calendar months, unless a more frequent interval is required in Table
II.
(4) The Qualified Medical
Physicist shall perform all elements of a full calibration necessary to
determine that all parameters are within acceptable limits:
(a) Whenever quality assurance check
measurements indicate that the radiation output differs by more than 5% from
the value obtained at the last full calibration and the difference cannot be
reconciled. Therapeutic radiation machines with multi-energy and/or multi-mode
capabilities shall only require measurements for those modes and/or energies
that are not within their acceptable range; and
(b) Following any component replacement,
major repair, or modification of components that could significantly affect the
characteristics of the radiation beam. If the repair, replacement or
modification does not affect all modes and/or energies, measurements shall be
performed on the effected mode/energy that is in most frequent clinical use at
the facility. The remaining energies/modes may be validated with quality
assurance check procedures against the criteria in 105 CMR
120.437(T)(4)(a).
(5)
The registrant shall maintain a record of each calibration in an auditable form
for the duration of the registration. The record shall include the date of the
calibration, the manufacturer's name, model number, and serial number for the
therapeutic radiation machine, the model numbers and serial numbers of the
instruments used to calibrate the therapeutic radiation machine, and the
signature of the Qualified Medical Physicist responsible for performing the
calibration.
(U)
Periodic Quality Assurance Checks.
(1) Periodic quality assurance checks shall
be performed on all therapeutic radiation machines subject to 105 CMR 120.437
at intervals not to exceed those specified in "Comprehensive QA for Radiation
Oncology: Report of AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee Task Group 40" or the most
current AAPM published recommendations;
(2) To satisfy the requirement of 105 CMR
120.437(U)(1), quality assurance checks shall include determination of central
axis radiation output and a representative sampling of periodic quality
assurance checks contained in "Comprehensive QA for Radiation Oncology: Report
of AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee Task Group 40" or the most current AAPM
published recommendations. Representative sampling shall include all referenced
periodic quality assurance checks in an interval not to exceed 12 consecutive
calendar months;
(3) The registrant
shall use a dosimetry system which has been inter-compared within the previous
12 months with the dosimetry system described in
105
CMR 120.434(C)(1) to make
the periodic quality assurance checks required in 105 CMR
120.437(U)(2);
(4) The registrant
shall perform periodic quality assurance checks required by 105 CMR
120.437(U)(1) in accordance with procedures established by the Qualified
Medical Physicist;
(5) The
registrant shall review the results of each periodic radiation output check
according to the following procedures:
(a)
The authorized user and Qualified Medical Physicist shall be immediately
notified if any parameter is not within its acceptable tolerance. The
therapeutic radiation machine shall not be made available for subsequent
medical use until the Qualified Medical Physicist has determined that all
parameters are within their acceptable tolerances;
(b) If all quality assurance check parameters
appear to be within their acceptable range, the quality assurance check shall
be reviewed and signed by either the authorized user or Qualified Medical
Physicist within three treatment days; and
(c) The Qualified Medical Physicist shall
review and sign the results of each radiation output quality assurance check at
intervals not to exceed 30 days.
(6) Therapeutic radiation machines subject to
105 CMR 120.437 shall have safety quality assurance checks listed in the most
currently published recommendations of reports of the AAPM Radiation Therapy
Committee Task Group 40 at intervals not to exceed the frequencies recommended
therein;
(7) To satisfy the
requirement of 105 CMR 120.437(U)(6), safety quality assurance checks shall
ensure proper operation of:
(a) Electrical
interlocks at each external beam radiation therapy room entrance;
(b) Proper operation of the "BEAM-ON",
interrupt and termination switches;
(c) Beam condition indicator lights on the
access doors, control console, and in the radiation therapy room;
(d) Viewing systems;
(e) Electrically operated treatment room
door(s) from inside and outside the treatment room;
(f) At least one emergency power cutoff
switch. If more than one emergency power cutoff switch is installed and not all
switches are tested at once, each switch shall be tested on a rotating basis.
Safety quality assurance checks of the emergency power cutoff switches may be
conducted at the end of the treatment day in order to minimize possible
stability problems with the therapeutic radiation machine.
(8) The registrant shall promptly repair any
system identified in 105 CMR 120.437(U)(7) that is not operating properly;
and
(9) The registrant shall
maintain a record of each quality assurance check required by 105 CMR
120.437(U)(1) and (7) for three years. The record shall include the date of the
quality assurance check, the manufacturer's name, model number, and serial
number for the therapeutic radiation machine, the manufacturer's name, model
number and serial number of the instrument(s) used to measure the radiation
output of the therapeutic radiation machine, and the signature of the
individual who performed the periodic quality assurance check.
(V) Quality Assurance Checks for
IMRT shall:
(1) Include commissioning and
testing of the treatment planning and delivery systems, routine quality
assurance of the delivery system, and patient-specific validation of treatment
plans [Note: IMRT is a rapidly evolving modality and the QA program shall also
evolve to handle new issues that arise.]; and
(2) Be performed in accordance with
"Dosimetry Tools and Techniques for IMRT - The report of AAPM Task Group 120"
(2010), or current AAPM Recommendation"; and
(3) Be performed in accordance with the
manufacturer's contractual specifications.