216-RICR-40-20-5
216-RICR-40-20-5. Therapeutic Radiation Machines (version Adoption, 01/01/2019 to 01/04/2022)
5.1 Authority and Incorporation by
Reference
5.1.1 Authority
A. This Part is promulgated
pursuant to the authority conferred under R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-1.3 -5.
B. This Part establishes
requirements, for which a registrant is responsible, for use of
therapeutic radiation machines. The provisions of this Part are in
addition to, and not in substitution for, other applicable provisions
of this Subchapter.
C. The use of therapeutic
radiation machines shall be by, or under the supervision of, a
licensed practitioner of the healing arts who meets the
training/experience criteria established by § 5.3.3 of this Part.
D. Provisions for Research
Involving Human Subjects. A registrant may conduct research involving
human subjects using therapeutic radiation machines provided that:
1. If the research will be
conducted, funded, supported, or regulated by a Federal Agency which
has implemented the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human
Subjects (45 C.F.R. Part 46), the registrant shall, before conducting
research:
a. Obtain review and approval
of the research from an "Institutional Review Board," as
defined and described in the Federal Policy; and
b. Obtain "informed
consent," as defined and described in the Federal Policy, from
the human research subject; or
2. If the research will not be
conducted, funded, supported, or regulated by a Federal agency that
has implemented the Federal Policy, the registrant shall, before
conducting research:
a. Apply for and receive
approval of a specific amendment to its Agency registration; and
b. Obtain review and approval
of the research from an "Institutional Review Board," as
defined and described in the Federal Policy; and
c. Obtain "informed
consent," as defined and described in the Federal Policy, from
the human research subject.
E. FDA, Other Federal and
State Requirements. Nothing in this Part relieves the registrant from
complying with applicable Agency, FDA, other federal, and state
requirements governing therapeutic radiation machines or auxiliary
devices.
F. Electronic brachytherapy
devices are subject to the requirements of § 5.11 of this Part, and
are exempt for the requirements of § 5.6 of this Part.
G. Any notifications, reports
or correspondence required by this Part shall be directed to the
Agency using contact information specified in § 1.4 of this
Subchapter.
5.1.2 Incorporation by
Reference
A. This Part hereby adopts and
incorporates the National Council on Radiation Protection and
Measurements’ (NCRP) Report 49 “Structural Shielding Design and
Evaluation for Medical Use of X Rays and Gamma Rays of Energies Up to
10 MeV” (1976) by reference, not including any further editions or
amendments thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein
are not inconsistent with this Part.
B. This Part hereby adopts and
incorporates the National Council on Radiation Protection and
Measurements’ (NCRP) Report 79, “Neutron Contamination from
Medical Electron Accelerators” (1984) by reference, not including
any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the extent
that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this Part.
C. This Part hereby adopts and
incorporates the National Council on Radiation Protection and
Measurements’ (NCRP) Report 144, “Radiation Protection for
Particle Accelerator Facilities” (2003) by reference, not including
any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the extent
that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this Part.
D. This Part hereby adopts and
incorporates the National Council on Radiation Protection and
Measurements’ (NCRP) Report 151, “Structural Shielding Design and
Evaluation for Megavoltage X- and Gamma-Ray Radiotherapy Facilities”
(2006) by reference, not including any further editions or amendments
thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not
inconsistent with this Part.
5.2 Definitions
A. Whenever used in this Part,
the following terms shall be construed as follows:
1. “Absorbed dose (D)”
means the mean energy imparted by ionizing radiation to matter.
Absorbed dose is determined as the quotient of dE by dM, where dE is
the mean energy imparted by ionizing radiation to matter of mass dM.
The SI unit of absorbed dose is joule per kilogram and the name of
the unit of absorbed dose is the gray (Gy). The previously used
special unit of absorbed dose (rad) is being replaced by the gray.
2. “Absorbed dose rate”
means absorbed dose per unit time, for machines with timers, or dose
monitor unit per unit time for linear accelerators.
3. “Accessible surface”
means surface of equipment or of an equipment part that can be easily
or accidentally touched by persons without the use of a tool.
4. “Act” means R.I. Gen.
Laws Chapter 23-1.3, entitled "Radiation Control".
5. “Added filtration”
means any filtration which is in addition to the inherent filtration.
6. “Agency” means Rhode
Island Radiation Control Agency (RCA), Center for Health Facilities
Regulation - Radiation Control Program, Rhode Island Department of
Health.
7. “Air kerma (K)” means
the kinetic energy released in air by ionizing radiation. Kerma is
determined as the quotient of dE by dM, where dE is the sum of the
initial kinetic energies of all the charged ionizing particles
liberated by uncharged ionizing particles in air of mass dM. The SI
unit of air kerma is joule per kilogram and the name for the unit of
kerma is the gray (Gy).
8. "Authorized user"
means a physician who is qualified to be named on an Agency
therapeutic radiation machine registration by satisfying the training
requirements of § 5.3.3 of this Part.
9. “Barrier” (See
"Protective barrier").
10. “Beam axis” means the
axis of rotation of the beam limiting device.
11. “Beam-limiting device”
means a field defining collimator, integral to the therapeutic
radiation machine, which provides a means to restrict the dimensions
of the useful beam.
12. “Beam monitoring system”
means a system designed and installed in the radiation head to detect
and measure the radiation present in the useful beam.
13. “Beam scattering foil”
means a thin piece of material (usually metallic) placed in the beam
to scatter a beam of electrons in order to provide a more uniform
electron distribution in the useful beam.
14. “Bent beam linear
accelerator” means a linear accelerator geometry in which the
accelerated electron beam must change direction by passing through a
bending magnet.
15. “Changeable filters”
means any filter, exclusive of inherent filtration, which can be
removed from the useful beam through any electronic, mechanical, or
physical process.
16. “Contact therapy system”
means a therapeutic radiation machine with a short target to skin
distance (TSD), usually less than five (5) centimeters.
17. “Conventional simulator”
means any x-ray system designed to reproduce the geometric conditions
of the radiation therapy equipment.
18. “Detector” (See
"Radiation detector").
19. “Dose equivalent (HT)"
means the product of the absorbed dose in tissue, quality factor, and
all other necessary modifying factors at the location of interest.
The units of dose equivalent are the Sievert (Sv) and rem.
20. “Dose monitor unit
(DMU)" means a unit response from the beam monitoring system
from which the absorbed dose can be calculated.
21. “Electronic
brachytherapy” means a method of radiation therapy where an
electrically generated source of ionizing radiation is placed in or
near the tumor or target tissue to deliver a therapeutic radiation
dose.
22. “Electronic
brachytherapy device” means the system used to produce and deliver
therapeutic radiation including the x-ray tube, the control
mechanism, the cooling system, and the power source.
23. “Electronic
brachytherapy source” means the x-ray tube component used in an
electronic brachytherapy device.
24. “External beam radiation
therapy” means therapeutic irradiation in which the source of
radiation is at a distance from the body.
25. “Field-flattening
filter” means a filter used to homogenize the absorbed dose rate
over the radiation field.
26. “Filter” means
material placed in the useful beam to change beam quality in
therapeutic radiation machines subject to § 5.6 of this Part.
27. “Gantry” means that
part of a radiation therapy system supporting and allowing movements
of the radiation head about a center of rotation.
28. “Gray (Gy)" means
the SI unit of absorbed dose, kerma, and specific energy imparted
equal to 1 joule per kilogram. The previous special unit of absorbed
dose (rad) is being replaced by the gray. [1 Gy=100 rad].
29. “Half-value layer (HVL)"
means the thickness of a specified material which attenuates
X-radiation or gamma radiation to an extent such that the air kerma
rate, exposure rate or absorbed dose rate is reduced to one-half of
the value measured without the material at the same point.
30. “Intensity Modulated
Radiation Therapy (IMRT)" means radiation therapy that uses
non-uniform radiation beam intensities which have been determined by
various computer-based optimization techniques.
31. “Interlock” means a
device preventing the start or continued operation of equipment
unless certain predetermined conditions prevail.
32. “Interruption of
irradiation” means the stopping of irradiation with the possibility
of continuing irradiation without resetting of operating conditions
at the control panel.
33. “Irradiation” means
the exposure of a living being or matter to ionizing radiation.
34. “Isocenter” means the
center of the sphere through which the useful beam axis passes while
the gantry moves through its full range of motions.
35. “Kilo electron volt
(keV)” means the energy equal to that acquired by a particle with
one electron charge in passing through a potential difference of one
thousand volts in a vacuum. The current convention is to use kV for
photons and keV for electrons.
36. “Lead equivalent”
means the thickness of the material in question affording the same
attenuation, under specified conditions, as lead.
37. “Leakage radiation”
means radiation emanating from the radiation therapy system except
for the useful beam.
38. “Light field” means
the area illuminated by light, simulating the radiation field.
39. “mA” means
milliampere.
40. “Mega electron volt
(MeV)" means the energy equal to that acquired by a particle
with one electron charge in passing through a potential difference of
one million volts in a vacuum. The current convention is to use MV
for photons and MeV for electrons.
41. “Mobile electronic
brachytherapy service” means transportation of an electronic
brachytherapy device to provide electronic brachytherapy at an
address that is not the address of record.
42. “Moving beam radiation
therapy” means radiation therapy with any planned displacement of
radiation field or patient/human research subject relative to each
other, or with any planned change of absorbed dose distribution. It
includes arc, skip, conformal, intensity modulation and rotational
therapy.
43. “Nominal treatment
distance” means:
a. For electron irradiation,
the distance from the scattering foil, virtual source, or exit window
of the electron beam to the entrance surface of the irradiated object
along the central axis of the useful beam.
b. For X-ray irradiation, the
virtual source or target to isocenter distance along the central axis
of the useful beam. For non-isocentric equipment, this distance shall
be that specified by the manufacturer.
44. “Patient” means an
individual subjected to machine produced radiation for the purpose(s)
of medical therapy.
45. “Peak tube potential”
means the maximum value of the potential difference across the X-ray
tube during an exposure.
46. “Periodic quality
assurance check” means a procedure which is performed to ensure
that a previous parameter or condition continues to be valid.
47. “Phantom” means an
object behaving in essentially the same manner as tissue, with
respect to absorption or scattering of the ionizing radiation in
question.
48. “Practical range of
electrons” means the classical electron range where the only
remaining contribution to dose is from bremsstrahlung X-rays.
49. “Prescribed dose”
means the total dose and dose per fraction as documented in the
written directive. The prescribed dose is an estimation from measured
data from a specified therapeutic radiation machine using assumptions
that are clinically acceptable for that treatment technique and
historically consistent with the clinical calculations previously
used for patients treated with the same clinical technique.
50. “Primary dose monitoring
system” means a system which will monitor the useful beam during
irradiation and which will terminate irradiation when a pre-selected
number of dose monitor units have been delivered.
51. “Radiation field” (See
"Useful beam")
52. “Protective barrier”
means a barrier of radiation absorbing material(s) used to reduce
radiation exposure. The types of protective barriers are as follows:
a. "Primary protective
barrier" means the material, excluding filters, placed in the
useful beam.
b. "Secondary protective
barrier" means the material which attenuates stray radiation.
53. “Radiation detector”
means a device which, in the presence of radiation provides, by
either direct or indirect means a signal or other indication suitable
for use in measuring one or more properties or quantities of incident
radiation.
54. “Radiation head” means
the structure from which the useful beam emerges.
55. “Recordable event”
means the administration of a therapeutic radiation machine dose when
the calculated weekly administered dose differs by fifteen percent
(15%) or more from the weekly prescribed dose.
56. “Redundant beam
monitoring system” means a combination of two (2) independent dose
monitoring systems in which each system is designed to terminate
irradiation in accordance with a pre-selected number of dose monitor
units.
57. “Registrant” means any
person who is registered with the Agency and is legally obligated to
register with the Agency pursuant to this Subchapter and the Act.
58. “Registration” means
registration with the Agency pursuant to this Subchapter and the Act.
59. “Scattered radiation”
means ionizing radiation emitted by interaction of ionizing radiation
with matter, the interaction being accompanied by a change in
direction of the radiation. Scattered primary radiation means that
scattered radiation which has been deviated in direction only by
materials irradiated by the useful beam.
60. “Secondary dose
monitoring system” means a system which will terminate irradiation
in the event of failure of the primary dose monitoring system.
61. “Shadow tray” means a
device attached to the radiation head to support auxiliary beam
blocking material.
62. “Shutter” means a
device attached to the tube housing assembly which can totally
intercept the useful beam and which has a lead equivalency not less
than that of the tube housing assembly.
63. “Sievert (Sv)"
means the SI unit of dose equivalent. The unit of dose equivalent is
the joule per kilogram. The previous special unit of dose equivalent
(rem) is being replaced by the sievert. [1 Sv=100 rem].
64. “Simulator (radiation
therapy simulation system)” means any X-ray system intended for
localizing the volume to be exposed during radiation therapy and
establishing the position and size of the therapeutic irradiation
field.
65. “Source” means the
region and/or material from which the radiation emanates.
66. “Source-skin distance
(SSD)" (See "Target-skin distance").
67. “Stationary beam
radiation therapy” means radiation therapy without displacement of
one or more mechanical axes relative to the patient/human research
subject during irradiation.
68. “Stray radiation”
means the sum of leakage and scattered radiation.
69. “Target” means that
part of an X-ray tube or accelerator onto which is directed a beam of
accelerated particles to produce ionizing radiation or other
particles.
70. “Target-skin distance
(TSD)" means the distance measured along the beam axis from the
center of the front surface of the X-ray target and/or electron
virtual source to the surface of the irradiated object or patient/
human research subject.
71. “Tenth-value layer
(TVL)" means the thickness of a specified material which
attenuates X-radiation or gamma radiation to an extent such that the
air kerma rate, exposure rate or absorbed dose rate is reduced to
one-tenth of the value measured without the material at the same
point.
72. “Termination of
irradiation” means the stopping of irradiation in a fashion which
will not permit continuance of irradiation without the resetting of
operating conditions at the control panel.
73. “Therapeutic radiation
machine” means X-ray or electron-producing equipment designed and
used for external beam radiation therapy. For the purpose of this
Part, devices used to administer electronic brachytherapy shall also
be considered therapeutic radiation machines.
74. “Tube” means an X-ray
tube, unless otherwise specified.
75. “Tube housing assembly”
means the tube housing with tube installed. It includes high-voltage
and/or filament transformers and other appropriate elements when such
are contained within the tube housing.
76. “Useful beam” means
the radiation emanating from the tube housing port or the radiation
head and passing through the aperture of the beam limiting device
when the exposure controls are in a mode to cause the therapeutic
radiation machine to produce radiation.
77. “Virtual simulator”
means a computed tomography (CT) unit used in conjunction with
relevant software which recreates the treatment machine; and that
allows import, manipulation, display, and storage of images from CT
and/or other imaging modalities.
78. “Virtual source” means
a point from which radiation appears to originate.
79. “Wedge filter” means a
filter which effects continuous change in transmission over all or a
part of the useful beam.
80. “Written directive”
means an order in writing for the administration of radiation to a
specific patient or human research subject, as specified in § 5.5.1
of this Part.
81. “X-ray tube” means any
electron tube which is designed to be used primarily for the
production of X-rays.
5.3 General Administrative
Requirements for Facilities Using Therapeutic Radiation Machines
5.3.1 Administrative
Controls.
The registrant shall be
responsible for directing the operation of the therapeutic radiation
machines which have been registered with the Agency. The registrant
or the registrant's agent shall ensure that the requirements of this
Part are met in the operation of the therapeutic radiation
machine(s).
5.3.2 Prohibition on Use
A therapeutic radiation
machine which does not meet the provisions of this Part shall not be
used for irradiation of patients/human research subjects.
5.3.3 Training for
Therapeutic Radiation Machine Authorized Users.
A. The registrant for any
therapeutic radiation machine subject to §§ 5.6 or 5.7 of this Part
shall require the Authorized User to be a physician who:
1. Is certified in:
a. Radiation oncology or
therapeutic radiology by the American Board of Radiology or Radiology
(combined diagnostic and therapeutic radiology program) by the
American Board of Radiology prior to 1976; or
b. Radiation oncology by the
American Osteopathic Board of Radiology; or
c. Radiology, with
specialization in radiotherapy, as a British "Fellow of the
Faculty of Radiology" or "Fellow of the Royal College of
Radiology"; or
d. Therapeutic radiology by
the Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons; or
2. Is in the active practice
of therapeutic radiology, and has completed two hundred (200) hours
of instruction in basic radiation techniques applicable to the use of
an external beam radiation therapy unit, five hundred (500) hours of
supervised work experience, and a minimum of three (3) years of
supervised clinical experience.
a. To satisfy the requirement
for instruction, the classroom and laboratory training shall include:
(1) Radiation physics and
instrumentation;
(2) Radiation protection;
(3) Mathematics pertaining to
the use and measurement of ionization radiation; and
(4) Radiation biology.
b. To satisfy the requirement
for supervised work experience, training shall be under the
supervision of an Authorized User and shall include:
(1) Review of the full
calibration measurements and periodic quality assurance checks;
(2) Evaluation of prepared
treatment plans and calculation of treatment times and patient/human
research subject treatment settings;
(3) Using administrative
controls to prevent misadministrations;
(4) Implementing emergency
procedures to be followed in the event of the abnormal operation of
an external beam radiation therapy unit or console; and
(5) Checking and using
radiation survey meters.
c. To satisfy the requirement
for a period of supervised clinical experience, training shall
include one (1) year in a formal training program approved by the
Residency Review Committee for Radiology of the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education or the Committee on Postdoctoral
Training of the American Osteopathic Association and an additional
two (2) years of clinical experience in therapeutic radiology under
the supervision of an Authorized User. The supervised clinical
experience shall include:
(1) Examining individuals and
reviewing their case histories to determine their suitability for
external beam radiation therapy treatment, and any
limitations/contraindications;
(2) Selecting proper dose and
how it is to be administered;
(3) Calculating the
therapeutic radiation machine doses and collaborating with the
Authorized User in the review of patients'/human research subjects'
progress and consideration of the need to modify originally
prescribed doses and/or treatment plans as warranted by
patients'/human research subjects' reaction to radiation; and
(4) Post-administration
follow-up & review of case histories.
3. Notwithstanding the
requirements of §§ 5.3.3(A)(1) and (2) of this Part, the registrant
for any therapeutic radiation machine subject to § 5.6 of this Part
may also submit the training of the prospective Authorized User
physician for Agency review on a case-by-case basis.
4. A physician shall not act
as an Authorized User for any therapeutic radiation machine until
such time as said physician's training has been reviewed and approved
by the Agency.
5.3.4 Training for
Qualified Medical Physicist.
A. The registrant for any
therapeutic radiation machine subject to §§ 5.6 or 5.7 of this Part
shall require the Qualified Medical Physicist to:
1. Be registered with the
Agency, under the provisions of Part 3 of this Subchapter, as a
provider of radiation services in the area of calibration and
compliance surveys of external beam radiation therapy units. and
2. Be certified by the
American Board of Radiology in:
a. Therapeutic radiological
physics; or
b. Roentgen-ray and gamma-ray
physics; or
c. X-ray and radium physics;
or
d. Radiological physics; or
e. Therapeutic medical
physics; or
3. Be certified by the
American Board of Medical Physics in Radiation Oncology Physics; or
4. Be certified by the
Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM) in Radiation
Oncology Physics.
5.3.5 Qualifications of
Operators
A. Individuals who will be
operating a therapeutic radiation machine for medical use shall
possess a current license as a Radiation Therapist in accordance with
Licensure of Radiographers, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Radiation
Therapists and Radiologist Assistants [Subchapter 05 Part 34 of this
Title], unless the individual is specifically exempted from licensure
by said regulations.
B. The names and training of
all personnel currently operating a therapeutic radiation machine
shall be kept on file at the facility. Information on former
operators shall be retained for a period of at least two (2) years
beyond the last date they were authorized to operate a therapeutic
radiation machine at that facility.
5.3.6 Written Safety
Procedures
Written safety procedures and
rules shall be developed by a Qualified Medical Physicist and shall
be available in the control area of a therapeutic radiation machine,
including any restrictions required for the safe operation of the
particular therapeutic radiation machine. The operator shall be able
to demonstrate familiarity with these rules.
5.3.7 Exposure Prohibited
Individuals shall not be
exposed to the useful beam except for medical therapy purposes and
unless such exposure has been ordered in writing by a therapeutic
radiation machine Authorized User. This provision specifically
prohibits deliberate exposure of an individual for training,
demonstration or other non-healing-arts purposes.
5.3.8 Visiting Authorized
User.
A. Notwithstanding the
provisions of § 5.3.3(A)(4) of this Part, a registrant may permit
any physician to act as a Visiting Authorized User under the term of
the registrant's Certificate of Registration for up to sixty (60)
days per calendar year under the following conditions:
1. The Visiting Authorized
User has the prior written permission of the registrant's management
and, if the use occurs on behalf of an institution, the institution's
Radiation Safety Committee (where applicable); and
2. The Visiting Authorized
User meets the requirements established for Authorized User(s) in §§
5.3.3(A)(1) and (2) of this Part; and
3. The registrant shall
maintain copies of the written permission required in § 5.3.8(A)(1)
of this Part and documentation that the Visiting Authorized User met
the requirements of § 5.3.8(A)(2) of this Part for five (5) years
from the date of the last visit.
5.3.9 Quality Management
Program Training
All individuals associated
with the operation of a therapeutic radiation machine shall be
instructed in and shall comply with the provisions of the
registrant's quality management program. In addition to the
requirements of this Part, these individuals are also subject to the
requirements of §§ 1.7.1, 1.7.5 and 1.10.3 of this Subchapter.
5.3.10 Information and
Maintenance Record and Associated Information.
A. The registrant shall
maintain the following information in a separate file or package for
each therapeutic radiation machine, for inspection by the Agency:
1. Report of acceptance
testing.
2. Records of all surveys,
calibrations, and periodic quality assurance checks of the
therapeutic radiation machine required by this Part, as well as the
name(s) of person(s) who performed such activities.
3. Records of maintenance
and/or modifications performed on the therapeutic radiation machine
as well as the name(s) of person(s) who performed such services.
4. Signature of person
authorizing the return of therapeutic radiation machine to clinical
use after service, repair, or upgrade.
5.3.11 Records Retention.
All records required by this
Part shall be retained until disposal is authorized by the Agency
unless another retention period is specifically authorized in this
Part. All required records shall be retained in an active file from
at least the time of generation until the next Agency inspection. Any
required record generated prior to the last Agency inspection may be
microfilmed or otherwise archived as long as a complete copy of said
record can be retrieved until such time as the Agency authorizes
final disposal.
5.3.12 Report and
Notification of a Dose to an Embryo/Fetus
A. A registrant shall report
any dose to an embryo/fetus that is greater than 50 mSv (5 rem) dose
equivalent that is a result of an administration of radiation to a
pregnant individual unless the dose to the embryo/fetus was
specifically approved, in advance, by the referring physician.
B. The registrant shall notify
the Agency by telephone no later than the next calendar day after
discovery of a dose to the embryo/fetus that requires a report §
5.3.12(A) of this Part.
C. The registrant shall submit
a written report to the Agency within fifteen (15) days after
discovery of a dose to the embryo/fetus that requires a report in §
5.3.12(A) of this Part.
1. The written report shall
include:
a. The registrant's name and
registration number;
b. The name of the referring
physician;
c. A brief description of the
event;
d. Why the event occurred;
e. The effect, if any, on the
embryo/fetus;
f. What actions, if any, have
been taken or are planned to prevent recurrence; and
g. Certification that the
registrant notified the pregnant individual (or the pregnant
individual's responsible relative or guardian), and if not, why not.
2. The report must not contain
the individual's name or any other information that could lead to
identification of the individual.
D. The registrant shall
provide notification of the event to the referring physician and also
notify the pregnant individual, no later than twenty-four (24) hours
after discovery of an event that would require reporting under §
5.3.12(A) of this Part, unless the referring physician personally
informs the registrant either that he or she will inform the pregnant
individual or that, based on medical judgment, telling the pregnant
individual would be harmful. The registrant is not required to notify
the pregnant individual without first consulting with the referring
physician. If the referring physician or pregnant individual cannot
be reached within twenty-four (24) hours, the registrant shall make
the appropriate notifications as soon as possible thereafter. The
registrant may not delay any appropriate medical care for the
embryo/fetus, including any necessary remedial care as a result of
the event, because of any delay in notification. To meet the
requirements of this paragraph, the notification may be made to the
pregnant individual's responsible relative or guardian instead of the
pregnant individual. If a verbal notification is made, the registrant
shall inform the pregnant individual, or the pregnant individual's
responsible relative or guardian, that a written description of the
event can be obtained from the registrant upon request. The
registrant shall provide such a written description if requested.
E. A registrant shall:
1. Annotate a copy of the
report provided to the Agency with the:
a. Name of the pregnant
individual who is the subject of the event; and
b. Social security number or
other identification number, if one has been assigned, of the
pregnant individual who is the subject of the event; and
c. Provide a copy of the
annotated report to the referring physician, if other than the
registrant, no later than fifteen (15) days after the discovery of
the event.
5.4 General Technical Requirements
for Facilities Using Therapeutic Radiation Machines
5.4.1 Protection Surveys
A. The registrant shall ensure
that radiation protection surveys of all new facilities, and existing
facilities not previously surveyed are performed with an operable
radiation measurement survey instrument calibrated in accordance with
§ 5.8 of this Part. The radiation protection survey shall be
performed by, or under the direction of, a Qualified Medical
Physicist or a Certified Health Physicist and shall verify that, with
the therapeutic radiation machine in a "BEAM-ON" condition,
with the largest clinically available treatment field and with a
scattering phantom in the useful beam of radiation:
1. Radiation levels in
restricted areas are not likely to cause personnel exposures in
excess of the limits specified in § 1.7.1(A) of this Subchapter; and
2. Radiation levels in
unrestricted areas do not exceed the limits specified in §§
1.8.1(A) and (B) of this Subchapter.
B. In addition to the
requirements of § 5.4.1(A) of this Part, a radiation protection
survey shall also be performed prior to any subsequent medical use
and:
1. After making any change in
the treatment room shielding;
2. After making any change in
the location of the therapeutic radiation machine within the
treatment room;
3. After relocating the
therapeutic radiation machine; or
4. Before using the
therapeutic radiation machine in a manner that could result in
increased radiation levels in areas outside the external beam
radiation therapy treatment room.
C. The survey record shall
indicate all instances where the facility, in the opinion of the
Qualified Medical Physicist or a Certified Health Physicist, is in
violation of applicable regulations. The survey record shall also
include the date of the measurements, the reason the survey is
required, the manufacturer's name, model number and serial number of
the therapeutic radiation machine, the instrument(s) used to measure
radiation levels, a plan of the areas surrounding the treatment room
that were surveyed, the measured dose rate at several points in each
area expressed in microsieverts or millirems per hour, the calculated
maximum level of radiation over a period of one (1) week for each
restricted and unrestricted area, and the signature of the individual
responsible for conducting the survey.
D. If the results of the
surveys required by §§ 5.4.1(A) or (B) of this Part indicate any
radiation levels in excess of the respective limit specified in §
5.4.1(A) of this Part, the registrant shall lock the control in the
"OFF" position and not use the unit:
1. Except as may be necessary
to repair, replace, or test the therapeutic radiation machine, the
therapeutic radiation machine shielding, or the treatment room
shielding; or
2. Until the registrant has
received a specific exemption from the Agency.
5.4.2 Modification of
Radiation Therapy Unit or Room Before Beginning a Treatment Program.
A. If the survey required by §
5.4.1 of this Part indicates that an individual in an unrestricted
area may be exposed to levels of radiation greater than those
permitted by §§ 1.8.1(A) and (B) of this Subchapter, before
beginning the treatment program the registrant shall:
1. Either equip the unit with
beam direction interlocks or add additional radiation shielding to
ensure compliance with §§ 1.8.1(A) and (B) of this Subchapter;
2. Perform the survey required
by § 5.4.1 of this Part again; and
3. Include in the report
required by § 5.4.4 of this Part the results of the initial survey,
a description of the modification made to comply with § 5.4.2(a) of
this Part and the results of the second survey; or
4. Request and receive a
registration amendment under § 1.8.1(C) of this Subchapter that
authorizes radiation levels in unrestricted areas greater than those
permitted by §§ 1.8.1(A) and (B) of this Subchapter.
5.4.3 Dosimetry Equipment
A. The registrant shall have a
calibrated dosimetry system available for use. The system shall have
been calibrated by the National Institute for Standards and
Technology (NIST) or by an American Association of Physicists in
Medicine (AAPM) Accredited Dosimetry Calibration Laboratory (ADCL).
The calibration shall have been performed within the previous
twenty-four (24) months and after any servicing that may have
affected system calibration.
1. For beams with energies
greater than 1 MV (1 MeV), the dosimetry system shall have been
calibrated for Cobalt-60;
2. For beams with energies
equal to or less than 1 MV (1 MeV), the dosimetry system shall have
been calibrated at an energy (energy range) appropriate for the
radiation being measured.
B. The registrant shall have
available for use a dosimetry system for quality assurance check
measurements. To meet this requirement, the system may be compared
with a system that has been calibrated in accordance with § 5.4.3(A)
of this Part. This comparison shall have been performed within the
previous twelve (12) months and after each servicing that may have
affected system calibration. The quality assurance check system may
be the same system used to meet the requirement in § 5.4.3(A) of
this Part.
C. The registrant shall
maintain a record of each dosimetry system calibration,
intercomparison, and comparison for the duration of the license
and/or registration. For each calibration, intercomparison, or
comparison, the record shall include the date, the model numbers and
serial numbers of the instruments that were calibrated,
inter-compared, or compared as required by §§ 5.4.3(A) and 5.4.3(B)
of this Part, the correction factors that were determined, the names
of the individuals who performed the calibration, intercomparison, or
comparison, and evidence that the intercomparison was performed by,
or under the direct supervision and in the physical presence of, a
Qualified Medical Physicist.
5.4.4 Reports of External
Beam Radiation Therapy Surveys and Measurements
The registrant for any
therapeutic radiation machine subject to §§ 5.6 or 5.7 of this Part
shall furnish a copy of the records required in §§ 5.4.1 and 5.4.2
of this Part to the Agency within thirty (30) days following
completion of the action that initiated the record requirement.
5.5 Quality Management Program
5.5.1 Scope and
Applicability
A. Each applicant or
registrant subject to §§ 5.6, 5.7 or 5.11 of this Part shall
develop, implement and maintain a written quality management program
to provide high confidence that radiation will be administered as
directed by the Authorized User. The quality management program
shall address, as a minimum, the following specific objectives:
1. Written Directive
a. A written directive must be
dated and signed by an Authorized User prior to the administration of
radiation;
b. Notwithstanding §
5.5.1(A)(1)(a) of this Part, if, because of the patient's/human
research subject's condition, a delay in order to provide a written
revision to an existing written directive would jeopardize the
patient's/human research subject's health, an oral revision to
an existing written directive shall be acceptable, provided that the
oral revision is documented immediately in writing in the
patient's/human research subject's record and a revised written
directive is signed by an Authorized User within forty-eight (48)
hours of the oral revision;
c. The written directive shall
contain the patient or human research subject’s name, the type and
energy of the beam, the total dose, dose per fraction, treatment
site, and number of fractions.
d. A written revision to an
existing written directive may be made provided that the revision is
dated and signed by an Authorized User prior to the administration of
the therapeutic radiation machine dose, or the next fractional dose.
e. The registrant shall retain
a copy of each written directive, in an auditable form, for three (3)
years after the date of administration.
2. Procedures for
Administrations. The registrant shall develop, implement, and
maintain written procedures to provide high confidence that:
a. Prior to the administration
of each course of radiation treatments, the patient's/human research
subject's identity is verified, by more than one method, as the
individual named in the written directive.
b. Therapeutic radiation
machine final plans of treatment and related calculations are in
accordance with the respective written directives by:
(1) Checking both manual and
computer generated dose calculations to verify they are correct and
in accordance with the written directive; and
(2) Verifying that any manual
and computer-generated calculations are correctly transferred into
the consoles of therapeutic radiation machines;
c. Each administration is in
accordance with the written directive. and
d. Any unintended deviation
from the written directive is identified and evaluated, and
appropriate action is taken.
e. A registrant shall retain a
copy of the procedures required by § 5.5.1(A)(2) of this Part for
the duration of the registration.
5.5.2 Reports and
Notifications of Misadministrations
A. A registrant shall report
any event resulting from intervention by a patient or human research
subject in which the administration of therapeutic radiation machine
radiation results, or will result in, unintended permanent functional
damage to an organ or a physiological system as determined by a
physician.
B. Other than events that
result from intervention by a patient or human research subject, a
registrant shall report any event in which the administration of a
therapeutic radiation machine therapy dose:
1. Involves the wrong patient,
wrong treatment modality, or wrong treatment site; or
2. The calculated weekly
administered dose differs from the weekly prescribed dose by more
than thirty percent (30%); or
3. The calculated total
administered dose differs from the total prescribed dose by more than
twenty percent (20%) of the total prescribed dose;
C. The registrant shall notify
the Agency by telephone no later than the next calendar day after
discovery of the misadministration.
1. All required notifications
shall use Agency contact information specified in § 1.4 of this
Subchapter.
D. The registrant shall submit
a written report to the Agency within fifteen (15) days after
discovery of the misadministration. The written report shall
include:
1. The registrant’s name;
2. The name of the prescribing
physician;
3. A brief description of the
event;
4. Why the event occurred;
5. The effect, if any, on the
individuals(s) who received the misadministration;
6. Actions, if any, that have
been taken, or are planned, to prevent recurrence;
7. Certification that the
registrant notified the individual (or the individual’s responsible
relative or guardian), and if not, why not; and
8. If there was notification,
what information was provided to the individual.
E. The report shall not
contain the individual’s name or any other information that could
lead to the identification of the individual. To meet the
requirements of this Section, the notification of the individual
receiving the misadministration may be made instead to that
individual's responsible relative or guardian, when appropriate.
F. The registrant shall
provide notification of the event to the referring physician and also
notify the individual who is the subject of the misadministration no
later than twenty-four (24) hours after its discovery, unless the
referring physician personally informs the registrant either that he
or she will inform the individual or that, based on medical judgment,
telling the individual would be harmful. The registrant is not
required to notify the individual without first consulting the
referring physician. If the referring physician or the affected
individual cannot be reached within twenty-four (24) hours, the
registrant shall notify the individual as soon as possible
thereafter. The registrant shall not delay any appropriate medical
care for the individual, including any necessary remedial care as a
result of the misadministration, because of any delay in
notification.
G. To meet the requirements of
§ 5.5.2(B)(1) of this Part, the notification of the individual who
is the subject of the misadministration may be made instead to that
individual’s responsible relative or guardian. If a verbal
notification is made, the registrant shall inform the individual, or
appropriate responsible relative or guardian, that either a copy of
the report that was submitted to the Agency, or a written description
of both the event and the consequences as they may affect them can be
obtained from the registrant upon request. The registrant shall
provide such a written description if requested.
H. Aside from the notification
requirement, nothing in § 5.5.2 of this Part affects any rights or
duties of registrants and physicians in relation to each other, to
individuals affected by the misadministration, or to that
individual’s responsible relatives or guardians.
I. The registrant shall retain
a record of a misadministration in accordance with § 5.5.3 of this
Part. A copy of the record required shall be provided to the
referring physician if other than the registrant within fifteen (15)
days after discovery of the misadministration.
5.5.3 Records of
Misadministrations.
A. A registrant shall retain a
record of misadministrations reported in accordance with § 5.5.2 of
this Part for three (3) years. The record shall contain the
following:
1. The registrant’s name and
the names of the individuals involved (including the prescribing
physician, allied health personnel, the individual who received the
misadministration, and the individual's referring physician, if
applicable);
2. The social security number
or other identification number, if one has been assigned, of the
individual who is the subject of the misadministration;
3. A brief description of the
event; why it occurred; the effect, if any, on the individual;
4. The actions, if any, taken
or planned to prevent recurrence; and
5. Whether the registrant
notified the individual (or the individual’s responsible relative
or guardian) and, if not, whether such failure to notify was based on
guidance from the referring physician.
5.5.4 Implementation of
Quality Management Program
A. As a part of the quality
management program, the registrant shall:
1. Develop procedures for, and
conduct a review of, the quality management program including, since
the last review, an evaluation of a representative sample of
patient/human research subject administrations, all recordable
events, and all misadministrations to verify compliance with all
aspects of the quality management program.
2. Conduct these reviews at
intervals not to exceed twelve (12) months.
3. Evaluate each of these
reviews to determine the effectiveness of the quality management
program and, if required, make modifications to meet the requirements
of § 5.5.1 of this Part; and
4. Maintain records of each
review, including the evaluations and findings of the review, in an
auditable form, for three (3) years.
5.5.5 Follow-up Required
for Recordable Event
A. The registrant shall
evaluate and respond, within thirty (30) days after discovery of the
recordable event, to each recordable event by:
1. Assembling the relevant
facts including the cause;
2. Identifying what, if any,
corrective action is required to prevent recurrence; and
3. Retaining a record, in an
auditable form, for three (3) years, of the relevant facts and what
corrective action, if any, was taken.
5.5.6 Modifications
The registrant may make
modifications to the quality management program to increase the
program's efficiency provided the program's effectiveness is not
decreased.
5.6 Therapeutic Radiation Machines
of Less Than 500 kV
5.6.1 Leakage Radiation
A. When the X-ray tube is
operated at its maximum rated tube current for the maximum kV, the
leakage air kerma rate shall not exceed the value specified at the
distance specified for that classification of therapeutic radiation
machine:
1. 5-50 kV Systems. The
leakage air kerma rate measured at any position five (5) centimeters
from the tube housing assembly shall not exceed 1 mGy (100 mrad) in
any one (1) hour.
2. >50 and <500 kV
Systems. The leakage air kerma rate measured at a distance of one
(1) meter from the target in any direction shall not exceed 1 cGy (1
rad) in any one (1) hour. This air kerma rate measurement may be
averaged over areas no larger than one-hundred square centimeters
(100 cm2). In addition, the air kerma rate at a distance of five (5)
centimeters from the surface of the tube housing assembly shall not
exceed 30 cGy (30 rad) per hour.
3. For each therapeutic
radiation machine, the registrant shall determine, or obtain from the
manufacturer, the leakage radiation existing at the positions
specified in §§ 5.6.1(A)(1) and 5.6.1(A)(2) of this Part for the
specified operating conditions. Records on leakage radiation
measurements shall be maintained at the installation for inspection
by the Agency.
5.6.2 Permanent Beam
Limiting Devices
Permanent diaphragms or cones
used for limiting the useful beam shall provide at least the same
degree of attenuation as required for the tube housing assembly.
5.6.3 Adjustable or
Removable Beam Limiting Devices
A. All adjustable or removable
beam limiting devices, diaphragms, cones or blocks shall not transmit
more than five percent (5%) of the useful beam for the most
penetrating beam used.
B. When adjustable beam
limiting devices are used, the position and shape of the radiation
field shall be indicated by a light beam.
5.6.4 Filter System
A. The filter system shall be
so designed that:
1. Filters cannot be
accidentally displaced at any possible tube orientation;
2. For equipment installed
after August 1, 1978, an interlock system prevents irradiation if the
proper filter is not in place;
3. The air kerma rate escaping
from the filter slot shall not exceed 1 cGy (1 rad) per hour at one
(1) meter under any operating conditions; and
4. Each filter shall be marked
as to its material of construction and its thickness.
5.6.5 Tube Immobilization
A. The X-ray tube shall be so
mounted that it cannot accidentally turn or slide with respect to the
housing aperture; and
B. The tube housing assembly
shall be capable of being immobilized for stationary portal
treatments.
5.6.6 Source Marking
The tube housing assembly
shall be so marked that it is possible to determine the location of
the source to within five (5) millimeters, and such marking shall be
readily accessible for use during calibration procedures.
5.6.7 Beam Block
Contact therapy tube housing
assemblies shall have a removable shield of material, equivalent in
attenuation to 0.5 millimeters of lead at 100 kV, which can be
positioned over the entire useful beam exit port during periods when
the beam is not in use.
5.6.8 Timer
A. A suitable irradiation
control device shall be provided to terminate the irradiation after a
pre-set time interval.
B. A timer which has a display
shall be provided at the treatment control panel. The timer shall
have a pre-set time selector and an elapsed time or time remaining
indicator.
C. 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.
D. The timer shall terminate
irradiation when a pre-selected time has elapsed, if any dose
monitoring system present has not previously terminated irradiation.
E. The timer shall permit
accurate pre-setting and determination of exposure times as short as
one (1) second.
F. The timer shall not permit
an exposure if set at zero.
G. The timer shall not
activate until the shutter is opened when irradiation is controlled
by a shutter mechanism unless calibration includes a timer error
correction to compensate for mechanical lag; and
H. Timer shall be accurate to
within one percent (1%) of the selected value or one (1) second,
whichever is greater.
5.6.9 Control Panel
Functions
A. The control panel, in
addition to the displays required by other provisions in § 5.6 of
this Part, shall have:
1. An indication of whether
electrical power is available at the control panel and if activation
of the X-ray tube is possible.
2. An indication of whether
X-rays are being produced.
3. Means for indicating X-ray
tube potential and current.
4. The means for terminating
an exposure at any time.
5. A locking device which will
prevent unauthorized use of the therapeutic radiation machine; and
6. For therapeutic radiation
machines manufactured after August 1, 1978, a positive display of
specific filter(s) in the beam.
5.6.10 Multiple Tubes
A. When a control panel may
energize more than one X-ray tube:
1. It shall be possible to
activate only one X-ray tube at any time;
2. There shall be an
indication at the control panel identifying which X-ray tube is
activated; and
3. There shall be an
indication at the tube housing assembly when that tube is energized.
5.6.11 Target-to-Skin
Distance (TSD)
There shall be a means of
determining the central axis TSD to within one (1) centimeter and of
reproducing this measurement to within two (2) millimeters
thereafter.
5.6.12 Shutters
Unless it is possible to
bring the X-ray output to the prescribed exposure parameters within
five (5) seconds after the X-ray "ON" switch is energized,
the beam shall be attenuated by a shutter having a lead equivalency
not less than that of the tube housing assembly. In addition, after
the unit is at operating parameters, the shutter shall be controlled
by the operator from the control panel. An indication of shutter
position shall appear at the control panel.
5.6.13 Low Filtration X-ray
Tubes
Each therapeutic radiation
machine equipped with a beryllium or other low-filtration window
shall be clearly labeled as such upon the tube housing assembly and
shall be provided with a permanent warning device on the control
panel that is activated when no additional filtration is present, to
indicate that the dose rate is very high.
5.6.14 Facility Design
Requirements for Therapeutic Radiation Machines Capable of Operating
in the Range 50 kV to 500 kV
A. In addition to shielding
adequate to meet requirements of § 5.9 of this Part, the treatment
room shall meet the following design requirements:
1. Aural Communication.
Provision shall be made for continuous two-way aural communication
between the patient/human research subject and the operator at the
control panel.
2. Viewing Systems. Provision
shall be made to permit continuous observation of the patient/human
research subject during irradiation and the viewing system shall be
so located that the operator can observe the patient/human research
subject from the control panel. The therapeutic radiation machine
shall not be used for patient/human research subject irradiation
unless at least one viewing system is operational.
5.6.15 Additional
Requirements
A. Treatment rooms which
contain a therapeutic radiation machine capable of operating above
150 kV shall meet the following additional requirements:
1. All protective barriers
shall be fixed except for entrance doors or beam interceptors.
2. The control panel shall be
located outside the treatment room.
3. Interlocks shall be
provided such that all entrance doors, including doors to any
interior booths, shall be closed before treatment can be initiated or
continued. If the radiation beam is interrupted by any door opening,
it shall not be possible to restore the machine to operation without
closing the door and reinitiating irradiation by manual action at the
control panel; and
4. When any door referred to
in § 5.6.15(A)(3) of this Part is opened while the X-ray tube is
activated, the air kerma rate at a distance of one (1) meter from the
source shall be reduced to less than 1 mGy (100 mrad) per hour.
5.6.16 Full Calibration
Measurements
A. Full calibration of a
therapeutic radiation machine subject to § 5.6 of this Part shall be
performed by, or under the direct supervision of, a Qualified Medical
Physicist:
1. Before the first medical
use following installation or reinstallation of the therapeutic
radiation machine; and
2. At intervals not exceeding
twelve (12) calendar months; and
3. Before medical use under
the following conditions:
a. Whenever quality assurance
check measurements indicate that the radiation output differs by more
than five percent (5%) from the value obtained at the last full
calibration and the difference cannot be reconciled; and
b. Following any component
replacement, major repair, or modification of components that could
significantly affect the characteristics of the radiation beam.
4. Notwithstanding the
requirements of § 5.6.16(A)(3) of this Part:
a. Full calibration of
therapeutic radiation machines with multi-energy capabilities is
required only for those modes and/or energies that are not within
their acceptable range; and
b. If the repair, replacement
or modification does not affect all energies, full calibration shall
be performed on the affected energy that is in most frequent clinical
use at the facility. The remaining energies may be validated with
quality assurance check procedures against the criteria in §
5.6.16(A)(3)(a) of this Part.
B. To satisfy the requirement
of § 5.6.16(A) of this Part, full calibration shall include all
measurements recommended for annual calibration by “AAPM Protocol
for 40-300 kV X-ray Beam Dosimetry in Radiotherapy and Radiobiology”:
AAPM Report No. 76, prepared by AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee Task
Group #61.
C. 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 both the therapeutic radiation machine and the X-ray tube,
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.
5.6.17 Periodic Quality
Assurance Checks
A. Periodic quality assurance
checks shall be performed on therapeutic radiation machines subject
to § 5.6 of this Part, which are capable of operation at greater
than or equal to 50 kV.
B. To satisfy the requirement
of § 5.6.17(A) of this Part, quality assurance checks shall meet the
following requirements:
1. The registrant shall
perform quality assurance checks in accordance with written
procedures established by the Qualified Medical Physicist; and
2. The quality assurance check
procedures shall specify the frequency at which tests or measurements
are to be performed. The quality assurance check procedures shall
specify that the quality assurance check shall be performed during
the calibration specified in § 5.6.16(A) of this Part. The
acceptable tolerance for each parameter measured in the quality
assurance check, when compared to the value for that parameter
determined in the calibration specified in § 5.6.16(A) of this Part,
shall be stated.
C. The cause for a parameter
exceeding a tolerance set by the Qualified Medical Physicist shall be
investigated and corrected before the system is used for
patient/human research subject irradiation.
D. Whenever a quality
assurance check indicates a significant change in the operating
characteristics of a system, as specified in the Qualified Medical
Physicist's quality assurance check procedures, those elements of a
full calibration shall be performed, as required in § 5.6.16(A) of
this Part, that are necessary to determine that all affected
parameters are within acceptable limits. Other quality assurance
check procedures should be repeated, as necessary, to ensure that all
system parameters are within acceptable limits.
E. The registrant shall use
the dosimetry system described in § 5.4.3(B) of this Part to make
the quality assurance check required in § 5.6.17(B) of this Part.
F. The registrant shall have
the Qualified Medical Physicist review and sign the results of each
radiation output quality assurance check within thirty (30) days of
the date that the check was performed.
G. The registrant shall ensure
that safety quality assurance checks of therapeutic radiation
machines subject to § 5.6 of this Part are performed at intervals
not to exceed thirty (30) days.
H. Notwithstanding the
requirements of §§ 5.6.17(F) and (G) of this Part, the registrant
shall ensure that no therapeutic radiation machine is used to
administer radiation to humans unless the quality assurance checks
required by §§ 5.6.17(F) and (G) of this Part have been performed
within the thirty (30) day period immediately prior to said
administration.
I. To satisfy the requirement
of § 5.6.17(G) of this Part, safety quality assurance checks shall
ensure proper operation of:
1. Electrical interlocks at
each external beam radiation therapy room entrance;
2. Proper operation of the
"BEAM-ON" and termination switches;
3. Beam condition indicator
lights on the access door(s), control console, and in the radiation
therapy room;
4. Viewing systems;
5. If applicable, electrically
operated treatment room doors from inside and outside the treatment
room;
J. The registrant shall
maintain a record of each quality assurance check required by §§
5.6.17(A) and (G) of this Part for three (3) 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.
5.6.18 Operating Procedures
A. The therapeutic radiation
machine shall not be used for irradiation of patients/human research
subjects unless the requirements of §§ 5.16 and 5.17 of this Part
have been met.
B. Therapeutic radiation
machines shall not be left unattended unless secured pursuant to §
5.6.9(A)(5) of this Part.
C. When a patient/human
research subject must be held in position for radiation therapy,
mechanical supporting or restraining devices shall be used.
D. The tube housing assembly
shall not be held by an individual during operation unless the
assembly is designed to require such holding and the peak tube
potential of the system does not exceed 50 kV. In such cases, the
holder shall wear protective gloves and apron of not less than 0.5
millimeters lead equivalency at 100 kV.
E. A copy of the current
operating and emergency procedures shall be maintained at the
therapeutic radiation machine control console; and
F. No individual other than
the patient/human research subject shall be in the treatment room
during exposures from therapeutic radiation machines operating above
150 kV. At energies less than or equal to 150 kV, any individual,
other than the patient/human research subject, in the treatment room
shall be protected by a barrier sufficient to meet the requirements
of § 1.7.1 of this Subchapter.
5.6.19 Possession of Survey
Instrument(s)
Each facility location
authorized to use a therapeutic radiation machine in accordance with
§ 5.6 of this Part 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 10 µSv (1 mrem) per hour to 10 mSv (1000
mrem) per hour. The survey instrument(s) shall be operable and
calibrated in accordance with § 5.8 of this Part.
5.7 Therapeutic Radiation Machines
- Photon Therapy Systems (500 kV and Above) and Electron Therapy
Systems (500 keV and Above)
5.7.1 Possession of Survey
Instrument(s)
Each facility location
authorized to use a therapeutic radiation machine in accordance with
§ 5.7 of this Part 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 10 µSv (1 mrem) per hour to 10 mSv (1000
mrem) per hour. The survey instrument(s) shall be operable and
calibrated in accordance with § 5.5 of this Part.
5.7.2 Leakage Radiation
Outside the Maximum Useful Beam in Photon and Electron Modes.
A. 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
(2) meters which is perpendicular to and centered on the central axis
of the useful beam at the nominal treatment distance (i.e.
patient/human research subject plane), shall not exceed a maximum of
0.2 percent and an average of 0.1 percent 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 one hundred
square centimeters (100 cm2) at a minimum of sixteen (16) points
uniformly distributed in the plane.
B. Except for the area defined
in § 5.7.2 of this Part, the absorbed dose due to leakage radiation
(excluding neutrons) at one (1) meter from the electron path between
the electron source and the target or electron window shall not
exceed 0.5 percent 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 one hundred square centimeters
(100 cm2).
C. For equipment manufactured
after July 1, 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
D. For each therapeutic
radiation machine, the registrant shall determine, or obtain from the
manufacturer, the leakage radiation existing at the positions
specified in §§ 5.7.2(A) through (C) of this Part for the specified
operating conditions. Records on leakage radiation measurements shall
be maintained at the installation for inspection by the Agency.
5.7.3 Leakage Radiation
Through Beam Limiting Devices
A. Photon Radiation. All
adjustable or interchangeable beam limiting devices 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 two percent (2%) of the maximum
absorbed dose on the central axis of the useful beam measured in a
one hundred square centimeter (100 cm2) radiation field, or maximum
available field size if less than one hundred square centimeters (100
cm2).
B. 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:
1. A maximum of two percent
(2%) and average of 0.5 percent 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 (7) centimeters outside the
periphery of the useful beam; and
2. A maximum of ten percent
(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 (2) centimeters outside the periphery of the useful beam.
C. Measurement of Leakage
Radiation
1. 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 (2) 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 (10 cm2);
2. 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 (1 cm2) suitably protected against radiation which has
been scattered from material beyond the radiation detector.
Measurements shall be made using one (1) centimeter of water
equivalent build up material.
5.7.4 Filters/Wedges
A. 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.
B. If the absorbed dose rate
information required by § 5.7.1 of this Part 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.
C. For equipment manufactured
after January 1, 1985 which utilize a system of wedge filters,
inter-changeable field flattening filters, or interchangeable beam
scattering foils:
1. 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;
2. An interlock system shall
be provided to prevent irradiation if the filter selected is not in
the correct position;
3. 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
4. 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.
5.7.5 Stray Radiation in
the Useful Beam
For equipment manufactured
after July 1, 1999, 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).
5.7.6 Beam Monitors
A. All therapeutic radiation
machines subject to § 5.7 of this Part shall be provided with
redundant beam monitoring systems. The detectors for these systems
shall be fixed in the useful beam during treatment to indicate the
dose monitor unit rate.
B. Equipment manufactured
after January 1, 1985 shall be provided with at least two (2)
independently powered integrating dose meters. Alternatively, common
elements may be used if the production of radiation is terminated
upon failure of any common element.
C. Equipment manufactured on
or before January 1, 1985 shall be provided with at least one (1)
radiation detector. This detector shall be incorporated into a useful
beam monitoring system.
D. The detector and the system
into which that detector is incorporated shall meet the following
requirements:
1. Each detector shall be
removable only with tools and, if movable, shall be interlocked to
prevent incorrect positioning;
2. 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;
3. Each beam monitoring system
shall be capable of independently monitoring, interrupting, and
terminating irradiation; and
4. For equipment manufactured
after January 1, 1985, the design of the beam monitoring systems
shall ensure that the:
a. Malfunctioning of one
system shall not affect the correct functioning of the other
system(s); and
b. Failure of either system
shall terminate irradiation or prevent the initiation of radiation.
5. Each beam monitoring system
shall have a legible display at the treatment control panel. For
equipment manufactured after January 1, 1985, each display shall:
a. Maintain a reading until
intentionally reset;
b. Have only one (1) scale and
no electrical or mechanical scale multiplying factors;
c. Utilize a design such that
increasing dose is displayed by increasing numbers; and
d. In the event of power
failure, the beam monitoring information required in §
5.7.6(D)(5)(c) of this Part displayed at the control panel at the
time of failure shall be retrievable in at least one system for a
twenty (20) minute period of time.
5.7.7 Beam Symmetry
A. A bent-beam linear
accelerator with beam flattening filter(s) subject to § 5.7 of this
Part shall be provided with auxiliary device(s) to monitor beam
symmetry.
B. The device(s) referenced in
§ 5.7.7(A) of this Part shall be able to detect field asymmetry
greater than ten percent (10%). and
C. The device(s) referenced in
§ 5.7.7(A) of this Part shall be configured to terminate irradiation
if the specifications in § 5.7.7(B) of this Part cannot be
maintained.
5.7.8 Selection and Display
of Dose Monitor Units
A. Irradiation shall not be
possible until a new selection of a number of dose monitor units has
been made at the treatment control panel.
B. The pre-selected number of
dose monitor units shall be displayed at the treatment control panel
until reset manually for the next irradiation.
C. After termination of
irradiation, it shall be necessary to reset the dosimeter display
before subsequent treatment can be initiated. and
D. For equipment manufactured
after January 1, 1985, after termination of irradiation, it shall be
necessary for the operator to reset the pre-selected dose monitor
units before irradiation can be initiated.
5.7.9 Air Kerma
Rate/Absorbed Dose Rate
A. For equipment manufactured
after January 1, 1985, 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 § 5.7.6 of this
Part 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 (10) 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 4 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 §§ 5.7.9(A)(2) and
5.7.9(A)(3) of this Part for the specified operating conditions.
Records of these maximum value(s) shall be maintained at the
installation for inspection by the Agency.
5.7.10 Termination of
Irradiation by the Beam Monitoring System or Systems During
Stationary Beam Radiation Therapy
A. Each primary system shall
terminate irradiation when the pre-selected number of dose monitor
units has been detected by the system.
B. 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
fifteen percent (15%) or forty (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
C. For equipment manufactured
after January 1, 1985, an indicator on the control panel shall show
which monitoring system has terminated irradiation.
5.7.11 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.
5.7.12 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.
5.7.13 Timer
A. A suitable irradiation
control device shall be provided to terminate the irradiation after a
pre-set time interval.
B. 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.
C. 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.
D. The timer shall terminate
irradiation when a pre-selected time has elapsed, if the dose
monitoring systems have not previously terminated irradiation.
5.7.14 Selection of
Radiation Type
A. 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 type 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.
5.7.15 Selection of Energy
A. 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 1, 1999, the selection of energy shall be in compliance
with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Document 601-2-1
(Edition 3.1 - July 2014).
5.7.16 Selection of
Stationary Beam Radiation Therapy or Moving Beam Radiation Therapy
A. 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.
a. For equipment manufactured
after January 1, 1985:
(1) Where angle terminates the
irradiation in moving beam radiation therapy, the dose monitor units
delivered shall differ by less than five percent (5%) from the dose
monitor unit value selected;
(2) An interlock shall be
provided to prevent motion of more than five (5) degrees or one (1)
cm beyond the selected limits during moving beam radiation therapy;
(3) 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.
b. For equipment manufactured
after July 1, 1999:
(1) An interlock system shall
be provided to terminate irradiation if the number of dose monitor
units delivered in any ten (10) degrees of rotation or one (1) cm of
linear motion differs by more than twenty percent (20%) from the
selected value;
(2) 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 § 5.7.10 of
this Part.
7. For equipment manufactured
after January 1, 1985, 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.
5.7.17 Facility Design
Requirements for Therapeutic Radiation Machines Operating above 500
kV
A. In addition to shielding
adequate to meet requirements of § 5.9 of this Part, 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 this Part, 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/human research subject following positioning and during
irradiation and shall be so located that the operator may observe the
patient/human research subject from the treatment control panel. The
therapeutic radiation machine shall not be used for patient/human
research subject 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/human research subject and the operator at the
control panel. The therapeutic radiation machine shall not be used
for irradiation of patients/human research subjects 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
§§ 1.8.1(A) and (B) of this Subchapter, 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. Emergency Cutoff Switches.
At least one (1) 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 § 5.7.11
of this Part. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
5.7.18 Qualified Medical
Physicist Support
A. 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:
1. Full calibration(s)
required by § 5.7.20 of this Part and protection surveys required by
§ 5.4.1 of this Part;
2. Supervision and review of
dosimetry;
3. Beam data acquisition and
transfer for computerized dosimetry, and supervision of its use;
4. Quality assurance,
including quality assurance check review required by § 5.7.21(E) of
this Part;
5. Consultation with the
Authorized User in treatment planning, as needed; and
6. Performing
calculations/assessments regarding misadministrations.
B. If the Qualified Medical
Physicist is not a full-time employee of the registrant, the
operating procedures required by § 5.7.19 of this Part 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.
5.7.19 Operating Procedures
A. No individual, other than
the patient/human research subject, shall be in the treatment room
during treatment or during any irradiation for testing or calibration
purposes.
B. Therapeutic radiation
machines shall not be made available for medical use unless the
requirements of §§ 5.4.1, 5.7.20 and 5.7.21 of this Part have been
met.
C. Therapeutic radiation
machines, when not in operation, shall be secured to prevent
unauthorized use.
D. When adjustable beam
limiting devices are used, the position and shape of the radiation
field shall be indicated by a light field.
E. If a patient/human research
subject must be held in position during treatment, mechanical
supporting or restraining devices shall be used.
F. A copy of the current
operating and emergency procedures shall be maintained at the
therapeutic radiation machine control console.
5.7.20 Acceptance Testing,
Commissioning and Full Calibration Measurements
A. Acceptance testing,
commissioning and full calibration of a therapeutic radiation machine
subject to § 5.7 of this Part shall be performed by, or under the
direct supervision of, a Qualified Medical Physicist.
B. Acceptance testing and
commissioning shall be performed in accordance with "AAPM Code
of Practice for Radiotherapy Accelerators: AAPM Report No. 47”,
prepared by AAPM Radiation Therapy Task Group 45, and the
manufacturer’s contractual specifications. Acceptance testing and
commissioning shall be conducted before the first medical use
following installation or reinstallation of the therapeutic radiation
machine.
C. Full calibration shall
include measurement of all applicable parameters required by “Quality
Assurance of Medical Accelerators: AAPM Report No. 142”, and shall
be performed in accordance with "AAPM Code of Practice for
Radiotherapy Accelerators: AAPM Report No. 47”, prepared by AAPM
Radiation Therapy Task Group 45. Although it shall not be necessary
to complete all elements of a full calibration at the same time, all
applicable parameters (for all energies) shall be completed at
intervals not exceeding twelve (12) calendar months, unless a more
frequent interval is required in AAPM Report No. 142.
1. AAPM Report 142 supersedes
Table II of "Comprehensive QA for Radiation Oncology: AAPM
Report No. 46”, prepared by AAPM Radiation Therapy Task Group 40.
D. The Qualified Medical
Physicist shall perform or directly supervise all elements of a full
calibration necessary to determine that all parameters are within
acceptable limits:
1. Whenever quality assurance
check measurements indicate that the radiation output differs by more
than five percent (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
2. 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 affected
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 § 5.7.20(D)(1).
E. The registrant shall use
the dosimetry system described in § 5.4.3(A) of this Part to measure
the radiation output for one set of exposure conditions. The
remaining radiation measurements required in §§ 5.7.20(B), (C), and
(D) of this Part may then be made using a dosimetry system that
indicates relative dose rates.
F. 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 performance of the calibration.
G. Therapy-Related Computer
Systems. The registrant shall perform acceptance testing on the
treatment planning system of therapeutic radiation machine -related
computer systems in accordance with current published recommendations
from a recognized national professional association (when available).
In the absence of an acceptance testing protocol published by a
national professional association, the manufacturer’s acceptance
testing protocol shall be followed.
1. Acceptance testing shall be
performed by, or under the direct supervision of, a Qualified Medical
Physicist. At a minimum, the acceptance testing shall include, as
applicable, verification of:
a. The source-specific input
parameters required by the dose calculation algorithm;
b. The accuracy of dose
calculations at representative points;
c. The accuracy of isodose
plots and graphic displays;
d. The accuracy of the
software used to determine radiation source positions from
radiographic images; and
e. If the treatment-planning
system is different from the treatment-delivery system, the accuracy
of electronic transfer of the treatment delivery parameters to the
treatment delivery unit from the treatment planning system.
2. Prior to each patient
treatment regimen, the parameters for the treatment shall be
evaluated and approved by the Authorized User and the Qualified
Medical Physicist for correctness through means independent of that
used for the determination of the parameters.
5.7.21 Periodic Quality
Assurance Checks
A. Periodic quality assurance
checks shall be performed on all therapeutic radiation machines
subject to § 5.7 of this Part at intervals not to exceed those
specified in "Comprehensive QA for Radiation Oncology: AAPM
Report No. 46, prepared by AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee Task
Group 40. All periodic quality assurance checks with an annual
frequency do not have to be performed at the same time, but shall be
completed during an interval not to exceed twelve (12) consecutive
calendar months.
B. The registrant shall use a
dosimetry system which has been inter-compared within the previous
twelve (12) months with the dosimetry system described in § 5.4.3(A)
of this Part to make the periodic quality assurance checks required
in § 5.7.21(A) of this Part.
C. The registrant shall
perform periodic quality assurance checks required by § 5.7.21(A) of
this Part in accordance with procedures established by the Qualified
Medical Physicist.
D. The registrant shall review
the results of each periodic radiation output check according to the
following procedures:
1. The Authorized User or
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;
2. If all radiation output
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 (3) treatment days; and
3. The Qualified Medical
Physicist shall review and sign the results of each radiation output
quality assurance check at intervals not to exceed thirty (30) days.
E. Therapeutic radiation
machines subject to § 5.7 of this Part shall have the following
safety quality assurance checks performed at intervals not to exceed
one (1) week:
1. Proper operation of the
"BEAM-ON", interrupt and termination switches;
2. Beam condition indicator
lights on the access doors, control console, and in the radiation
therapy room;
3. Electrically operated
treatment room door(s) from inside and outside the treatment room.
F. The registrant shall
promptly repair any system identified in §§ 5.7.21(A) and (E) of
this Part that is not operating properly.
G. The registrant shall
maintain a record of each quality assurance check required by §§
5.7.21(A) and (E) of this Part for three (3) 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.
5.7.22 Quality Assurance
Checks for IMRT
A. 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; and
a. IMRT is a rapidly evolving
modality and the QA program shall also evolve to handle new issues
that arise. "Guidance document on delivery, treatment planning,
and clinical implementation of IMRT: AAPM Report No. 82”, prepared
by the IMRT subcommittee of the AAPM radiation therapy committee,
provides some suggestions on establishing such a QA program.
2. Be performed in accordance
with the manufacturer’s contractual specifications.
5.8 Calibration of Survey
Instruments
5.8.1 Calibration Required
The registrant shall ensure
that the survey instruments used to show compliance with this Part
have been calibrated before first use, at intervals not to exceed
twelve (12) months, and following repair.
5.8.2 Calibration Protocols
A. To satisfy the requirements
of § 5.8.1 of this Part, the registrant shall:
1. Calibrate all required
scale readings up to 10 mSv (1000 mrem) per hour with an appropriate
radiation source that is traceable to the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST).
2. Calibrate at least two (2)
points on each scale to be calibrated. These points should be at
approximately 1/3 and 2/3 of full-scale.
B. Consider a point as
calibrated if the indicated dose rate differs from the calculated
dose rate by not more than ten percent (10%).
C. Consider a point as
calibrated if the indicated dose rate differs from the calculated
dose rate by not more than twenty percent (20%) if a correction
factor or graph is conspicuously attached to the instrument.
5.8.3 Record Retention
A. The registrant shall retain
a record of each calibration required in § 5.8.1 of this Part for
three (3) years. The record shall include:
1. A description of the
calibration procedure; and
2. A description of the source
used and the certified dose rates from the source, and the rates
indicated by the instrument being calibrated, the correction factors
deduced from the calibration data, the signature of the individual
who performed the calibration, and the date of calibration.
5.8.4 Use of Calibration
Services
The registrant may obtain the
services of individuals licensed by the Agency, the U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission or another Agreement State to perform
calibrations of survey instruments. Records of calibrations which
contain information required by §§ 5.8.3 of this Part shall be
maintained by the registrant.
5.9 Shielding and Safety Design
Requirements
5.9.1 Primary and Secondary
Barriers
Each therapeutic radiation
machine subject to §§ 5.6 or 5.7 of this Part shall be provided
with such primary and/or secondary barriers as are necessary to
ensure compliance with §§ 1.7.1 and 1.8.1 of this Subchapter.
5.9.2 Facility Design
Information
Facility design information
for all new installations of a therapeutic radiation machine or
installations of a therapeutic radiation machine of higher energy
into a room not previously approved for that energy shall be
submitted for Agency approval prior to actual installation of the
therapeutic radiation machine. The minimum facility design
information that must be submitted is contained in § 5.13 of this
Part.
5.10 Quality Assurance for
Radiation Therapy Simulation Systems
A. Quality assurance for a
conventional or virtual simulator shall include acceptance testing
and periodic verification of system performance; and
B. Be performed in accordance
with "Comprehensive QA for Radiation Oncology: AAPM Report No.
46”, prepared by AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee Task Group 40,
for a conventional simulator; or
C. Be performed in accordance
with “Quality assurance for computed tomography simulators and the
computed tomography-simulation process: AAPM Report No. 83”,
prepared by AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee Task Group 66, for a
virtual simulator.
5.11 Electronic Brachytherapy
5.11.1 Applicability
A. Electronic brachytherapy
devices shall be subject to the requirements of § 5.11 of this Part,
and shall be exempt for the requirements of § 5.6 of this Part.
B. An electronic brachytherapy
device that does not meet the requirements of § 5.11 of this Part
shall not be used for irradiation of patients.
C. An electronic brachytherapy
device shall only be utilized for human use applications specifically
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unless
participating in a research study approved by the registrant’s
Institutional Review Board (IRB).
5.11.2 Possession of Survey
Instrument(s)
Each facility location
authorized to use an electronic brachytherapy device in accordance
with § 5.11 of this Part 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 10 µSv (1 mrem) per hour to 10
mSv (1000 mrem) per hour. The survey instrument(s) shall be operable
and calibrated in accordance with § 5.8 of this Part for the
applicable electronic brachytherapy source energy.
5.11.3 Facility Design
Requirements for Electronic Brachytherapy Devices
A. In addition to shielding
adequate to meet requirements of § 5.9 of this Part, the treatment
room shall meet the following design requirements:
1. If applicable, provision
shall be made to prevent simultaneous operation of more than one
therapeutic radiation machine in a treatment room.
2. Access to the treatment
room shall be controlled by a door at each entrance.
3. Each treatment room shall
have provisions to permit continuous aural communication and visual
observation of the patient from the treatment control panel during
irradiation. The electronic brachytherapy device shall not be used
for patient irradiation unless the patient can be observed.
4. For electronic
brachytherapy devices capable of operating below 50 kV, radiation
shielding for the staff in the treatment room shall be available,
either as a portable shield and/or as localized shielded material
around the treatment site.
5. For electronic
brachytherapy devices capable of operating at greater than 150 kV:
a. The control panel shall be
located outside the treatment room;
b. Interlocks shall be
provided such that all entrance doors shall be closed before
treatment can be initiated or continued. If the radiation beam is
interrupted by any door opening, it shall not be possible to restore
the electronic brachytherapy device to operation without closing the
door and reinitiating irradiation by manual action at the control
panel; and
c. When any door referred to
in § 5.11.3(A)(5)(b) of this Part is opened while the X-ray tube is
activated, the air kerma rate at a distance of one (1) meter from the
source shall be reduced to less than 1 mGy (100 mrad) per hour.
6. Facility design
requirements for electronic brachytherapy devices which would operate
in the 50-150 kV range have intentionally been omitted because an
evaluation of this technology, as it existed at the time § 5.11 of
this Part was finalized, appears to indicate that such devices are
not likely to be produced.
5.11.4 Electrical Safety
for Electronic Brachytherapy Devices
A. The high voltage
transformer shall be electrically isolated to prevent electrical and
magnetic interference with the surrounding environment and ancillary
equipment.
B. The high voltage
transformer shall be isolated from personnel (e.g., operator) and the
environment by a protective housing that can only be accessed through
a cover requiring a tool for access or with electrical interlocks to
prevent operation while open.
C. The high voltage
transformer shall have appropriate safety labels warning personnel of
potential electrical shock and/or heat related injuries.
D. Equipment manufactured
after January 1, 2006 shall be in compliance with the most current
revision of the following International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) Documents:
1. IEC
60601-1:1998+A1+A2:1995;
2. IEC 60601-1-2:2001;
3. IEC 60601-2-8:1999; and
4. IEC 60601-2-17:2004.
5.11.5 Control Panel
Functions
A. The control panel, in
addition to the displays required by other provisions in § 5.11 of
this Part, shall:
1. Provide an indication of
whether electrical power is available at the control panel and if
activation of the electronic brachytherapy source is possible;
2. Provide an indication of
whether x‑rays are being produced;
3. Provide a means for
indicating electronic brachytherapy source potential and current;
4. Provide the means for
terminating an exposure at any time; and
5. Include an access control
(locking) device that will prevent unauthorized use of the electronic
brachytherapy device.
5.11.6 Timer
A. A suitable irradiation
control device (timer) shall be provided to terminate the irradiation
after a pre-set time interval or integrated charge on a
dosimeter-based monitor.
B. A timer shall be provided
at the treatment control panel. The timer shall indicate the planned
setting and the time elapsed or remaining.
C. The timer shall not permit
an exposure if set at zero.
D. The timer shall be a
cumulative device that 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.
E. The timer shall terminate
irradiation when a pre-selected time has elapsed, if any dose
monitoring system has not previously terminated irradiation.
F. The timer shall permit
setting of exposure times as short as 0.1 second.
G. The timer shall be accurate
to within one percent (1%) of the selected value or 0.1 second,
whichever is greater.
5.11.7 Qualified Medical
Physicist Support
A. The services of a Qualified
Medical Physicist shall be required in facilities having electronic
brachytherapy devices. The Qualified Medical Physicist shall be
responsible for:
1. Evaluation of the output
from the electronic brachytherapy source;
2. Generation of the necessary
dosimetric information;
3. Supervision and review of
treatment calculations prior to initial treatment of any treatment
site;
4. Establishing the periodic
and day-of-use quality assurance checks and reviewing the data from
those checks as required in § 5.11.11 of this Part;
5. Consultation with the
Authorized User in treatment planning, as needed; and
6. Performing
calculations/assessments regarding patient treatments that may
constitute a misadministration.
B. If the Qualified Medical
Physicist is not a full-time employee of the registrant, the
operating procedures required by § 5.11.8 of this Part 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.
5.11.8 Operating Procedures
A. Only individuals approved
by the Authorized User, Radiation Safety Officer, or Qualified
Medical Physicist shall be present in the treatment room during
treatment;
B. Electronic brachytherapy
devices shall not be made available for medical use unless the
requirements of §§ 5.4, 5.11.9 and 5.11.10 of this Part have been
met;
C. The electronic
brachytherapy device shall be rendered inoperable, either by hardware
or password, when unattended by qualified staff or service personnel;
D. During operation, the
electronic brachytherapy device operator shall monitor the position
of all persons in the treatment room, and all persons entering the
treatment room, to prevent unshielded exposure from the treatment
beam;
E. If a patient must be held
in position during treatment, mechanical supporting or restraining
devices shall be used;
F. Written procedures shall be
developed, implemented, and maintained for responding to an abnormal
situation. These procedures shall include:
1. Instructions for responding
to equipment failures and the names of the individuals responsible
for implementing corrective actions; and
2. The names and telephone
numbers of the Authorized Users, the Qualified Medical Physicist, and
the Radiation Safety Officer to be contacted if the device or console
operates abnormally.
G. A copy of the current
operating and emergency procedures shall be physically located at the
electronic brachytherapy device control console;
1. If the control console is
integral to the electronic brachytherapy device, the required
procedures shall be kept where the operator is located during
electronic brachytherapy device operation.
H. Instructions shall be
posted at the electronic brachytherapy device control console to
inform the operator of the names and telephone numbers of the
Authorized Users, the Qualified Medical Physicist, and the Radiation
Safety Officer to be contacted if the device or console operates
abnormally; and
I. The Radiation Safety
Officer, or his/her designee, and an Authorized User shall be
notified as soon as possible if the patient has a medical emergency,
suffers injury or dies. The Radiation Safety Officer or the
Qualified Medical Physicist shall inform the manufacturer of the
event.
5.11.9 Safety Precautions
for Electronic Brachytherapy Devices
A. A Qualified Medical
Physicist shall determine which persons in the treatment room require
monitoring when the beam is energized;
B. An Authorized User and a
Qualified Medical Physicist shall be physically present during the
initiation of all patient treatments involving the electronic
brachytherapy device;
C. A Qualified Medical
Physicist and either an Authorized User or a physician or electronic
brachytherapy device operator, under the supervision of an Authorized
User, who has been trained in the operation and emergency response
for the electronic brachytherapy device, shall be physically present
during continuation of all patient treatments involving the
electronic brachytherapy device;
D. When shielding is required
by § 5.11.3(A)(4) of this Part, the electronic brachytherapy device
operator shall use a survey meter to verify proper placement of the
shielding immediately upon initiation of treatment. Alternatively, a
Qualified Medical Physicist shall designate shield locations
sufficient to meet the requirements of § 1.7.1 of this Subchapter
for any individual, other than the patient, in the treatment room;
and
E. All personnel in the
treatment room are required to remain behind shielding during
treatment. A Qualified Medical Physicist shall approve any deviation
from this requirement and shall designate alternative radiation
safety protocols, compatible with patient safety, to provide an
equivalent degree of protection.
5.11.10 Electronic
Brachytherapy Source Calibration Measurements
A. Calibration of the
electronic brachytherapy source output for an electronic
brachytherapy device subject to § 5.11 of this Part shall be
performed by, or under the direct supervision of, a Qualified Medical
Physicist;
B. Calibration of the
electronic brachytherapy source output shall be made for each
electronic brachytherapy source, or after any repair affecting the
x-ray beam generation, or when indicated by the electronic
brachytherapy source quality assurance checks;
C. Calibration of the
electronic brachytherapy source output shall utilize a dosimetry
system as described in § 5.4.3 of this Part;
D. Calibration of the
electronic brachytherapy source output shall include, as applicable,
determination of:
1. The output within two
percent (2%) of the expected value, if applicable, or determination
of the output if there is no expected value;
2. Timer accuracy and
linearity over the typical range of use;
3. Proper operation of back-up
exposure control devices;
4. Evaluation that the
relative dose distribution about the source is within five percent
(5%) of that expected; and
5. Source positioning accuracy
to within one (1) millimeter within the applicator;
E. Calibration of the x-ray
source output required by §§ 5.11.10(A) through (D) of this Part
shall be in accordance with current published recommendations from a
recognized national professional association with expertise in
electronic brachytherapy (when available). In the absence of a
calibration protocol published by a national professional
association, the manufacturer’s calibration protocol shall be
followed.
F. The registrant shall
maintain a record of each calibration in an auditable form for the
duration of the registration. The record shall include:
1. The date of the
calibration;
2. The manufacturer's name,
model number and serial number for the electronic brachytherapy
device and a unique identifier for its electronic brachytherapy
source;
3. The model numbers and
serial numbers of the instrument(s) used to calibrate the electronic
brachytherapy device; and
4. The name and signature of
the Qualified Medical Physicist responsible for performing the
calibration.
5.11.11 Periodic and
Day-of-Use Quality Assurance Checks for Electronic Brachytherapy
Devices
A. Quality assurance checks
shall be performed on each electronic brachytherapy device subject to
§ 5.11 of this Part:
1. At the beginning of each
day of use;
2. Each time the device is
moved to a new room or site; and
a. Site is intended to include
each day of use at each operating location for a self-contained
electronic brachytherapy unit transported in a van or trailer. See §
5.11.14 of this Part for additional clarification.
3. After each x-ray tube
installation.
B. The registrant shall
perform periodic quality assurance checks required by § 5.11.11(A)
of this Part in accordance with procedures established by the
Qualified Medical Physicist;
C. To satisfy the requirements
of § 5.11.11(A) of this Part, radiation output quality assurance
checks shall include as a minimum:
1. Verification that output of
the electronic brachytherapy source falls within three percent (3%)
of expected values, as appropriate for the device, as determined by:
a. Output as a function of
time, or
b. Output as a function of
setting on a monitor chamber.
2. Verification of the
consistency of the dose distribution to within three percent (3%) of
that found during calibration required by § 5.11.10 of this Part;
and
3. Validation of the operation
of positioning methods to ensure that the treatment dose exposes the
intended location within one (1) mm; and
D. The registrant shall use a
dosimetry system that has been intercompared within the previous
twelve (12) months with the dosimetry system described in § 5.3(A)
of this Part to make the quality assurance checks required in §
5.11.11(C) of this Part;
E. The registrant shall review
the results of each radiation output quality assurance check
according to the following procedures:
1. An Authorized User and
Qualified Medical Physicist shall be immediately notified if any
parameter is not within its acceptable tolerance. The electronic
brachytherapy device shall not be made available for subsequent
medical use until the Qualified Medical Physicist has determined that
all parameters are within their acceptable tolerances;
2. If all radiation output
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 two (2) days; and
3. The Qualified Medical
Physicist shall review and sign the results of each radiation output
quality assurance check at intervals not to exceed thirty (30) days.
F. To satisfy the requirements
of § 5.11.11(A) of this Part, safety device quality assurance checks
shall, at a minimum, assure:
1. Proper operation of
radiation exposure indicator lights on the electronic brachytherapy
device and on the control console;
2. Proper operation of viewing
and intercom systems in each electronic brachytherapy facility, if
applicable;
3. Proper operation of
radiation monitors, if applicable;
4. The integrity of all
cables, catheters or parts of the device that carry high voltages;
and
5. Connecting guide tubes,
transfer tubes, transfer-tube-applicator interfaces, and treatment
spacers are free from any defects that interfere with proper
operation.
G. If the results of the
safety device quality assurance checks required in § 5.11.11(F) of
this Part indicate any malfunction, a registrant shall secure the
control console in the "OFF" position and not use the
electronic brachytherapy device except as may be necessary to repair,
replace, or check the malfunctioning items.
H. The registrant shall
maintain a record of each quality assurance check required by §§
5.11.11(C) and 5.11.11(G) of this Part in an auditable form for three
(3) years.
1. The record shall include
the date of the quality assurance check; the manufacturer's name,
model number and serial number for the electronic brachytherapy
device; the name and signature of the individual who performed the
periodic quality assurance check and the name and signature of the
Qualified Medical Physicist who reviewed the quality assurance check;
2. For radiation output
quality assurance checks required by § 5.11.11(C) of this Part, the
record shall also include the unique identifier for the electronic
brachytherapy source and the manufacturer's name; model number and
serial number for the instrument(s) used to measure the radiation
output of the electronic brachytherapy device.
5.11.12 Therapy-Related
Computer Systems
A. The registrant shall
perform acceptance testing on the treatment planning system of
electronic brachytherapy-related computer systems in accordance with
current published recommendations from a recognized national
professional association with expertise in electronic brachytherapy
(when available). In the absence of an acceptance testing protocol
published by a national professional association, the manufacturer’s
acceptance testing protocol shall be followed.
B. Acceptance testing shall be
performed by, or under the direct supervision of, a Qualified Medical
Physicist. At a minimum, the acceptance testing shall include, as
applicable, verification of:
1. The source-specific input
parameters required by the dose calculation algorithm;
2. The accuracy of dose, dwell
time, and treatment time calculations at representative points;
3. The accuracy of isodose
plots and graphic displays;
4. The accuracy of the
software used to determine radiation source positions from
radiographic images; and
5. If the treatment-planning
system is different from the treatment-delivery system, the accuracy
of electronic transfer of the treatment delivery parameters to the
treatment delivery unit from the treatment planning system.
C. The position indicators in
the applicator shall be compared to the actual position of the source
or planned dwell positions, as appropriate, at the time of
commissioning.
D. Prior to each patient
treatment regimen, the parameters for the treatment shall be
evaluated and approved by the Authorized User and the Qualified
Medical Physicist for correctness through means independent of that
used for the determination of the parameters.
5.11.13 Training
A. A registrant shall provide
instruction, initially and at intervals not to exceed twelve (12)
months, to all individuals who operate the electronic brachytherapy
device, as appropriate to the individual's assigned duties, in the
operating procedures identified in § 5.11.8 of this Part. If the
interval between patients exceeds one year, retraining of the
individuals shall be provided before the next treatment is
administered.
B. In addition to the
requirements of § 5.3.3 of this Part for therapeutic radiation
machine Authorized Users and § 5.3.4 of this Part for Qualified
Medical Physicists, these individuals shall also receive device
specific instruction initially from the manufacturer, and at
intervals not to exceed twelve (12) months from either the
manufacturer or other qualified trainer. The training shall be of a
duration recommended by a recognized national professional
association with expertise in electronic brachytherapy (when
available). In the absence of any training protocol recommended by a
national professional association, the manufacturer’s training
protocol shall be followed. The training shall include, but not be
limited to:
1. Device-specific radiation
safety requirements;
2. Device operation;
3. Clinical use for the types
of use approved by the FDA;
4. Emergency procedures,
including an emergency drill; and
5. The registrant’s Quality
Assurance Program.
C. A registrant shall retain a
record of individuals receiving instruction required by §§
5.11.13(A) and (B) of this Part for three (3) years. The record
shall include a list of the topics covered, the date of the
instruction, the name(s) of the attendee(s), and the name(s) of the
individual(s) who provided the instruction.
5.11.14 Mobile Electronic
Brachytherapy Service
A. A registrant providing
mobile electronic brachytherapy service shall, as a minimum:
1. Check each survey
instrument for consistent response with a dedicated check source
before medical use at each address of use or on each day of use,
whichever is more restrictive. The registrant is not required to
keep records of these checks.
2. Account for the electronic
brachytherapy source in the electronic brachytherapy device before
departure from the client’s address.
3. Perform, at each location
on each day of use, all of the required quality assurance checks
specified in § 5.11.11 of this Part to assure proper operation of
the device.
5.12 Other Use of
Electronically-Produced Radiation To Deliver Therapeutic Radiation
Dosage
5.12.1 Prohibition on Use
A. A person shall not utilize
any device which is designed to electrically generate a source of
ionizing radiation to deliver therapeutic radiation dosage, and which
is not appropriately regulated under any existing category of
therapeutic radiation machine, until:
1. The applicant or registrant
has, at a minimum, provided the Agency with:
a. A detailed description of
the device and its intended application(s);
b. Facility design
requirements, including shielding and access control;
c. Documentation of
appropriate training for Authorized User physician(s) and qualified
medical physicist(s)
d. Methodology for measurement
of dosages to be administered to patients or human research subjects;
e. Documentation regarding
calibration, maintenance, and repair of the device, as well as
instruments and equipment necessary for radiation safety;
f. Radiation safety
precautions and instructions; and
g. Other information requested
by the Agency in its review of the application; and
2. The applicant or registrant
has received written approval from the Agency to utilize the device
in accordance with the regulations and specific conditions the Agency
considers necessary for the medical use of the device.
5.13 Information on Radiation
Shielding Required for Plan Reviews
5.13.1 All Therapeutic
Radiation Machines
A. Basic facility information
including:
1. Name, telephone number and
Agency registration number of the individual responsible for
preparation of the shielding plan;
2. Name and telephone number
of the facility supervisor; and
3. The street address,
including room number, of the therapeutic radiation machine facility.
4. The plan should also
indicate whether this is a new structure or a modification to
existing structure(s).
B. All wall, floor, and
ceiling areas struck by the useful beam shall have primary barriers.
C. Secondary barriers shall be
provided in all wall, floor, and ceiling areas not having primary
barriers.
5.13.2 Therapeutic
Radiation Machines Up To 150 kV (Photons Only)
A. In addition to the
requirements listed in § 5.13.1 of this Part, therapeutic radiation
machine facilities which produce only photons with a maximum energy
less than or equal to 150 kV shall submit shielding plans which
contain, as a minimum, the following additional information:
1. Equipment specifications,
including the manufacturer and model number of the therapeutic
radiation machine, as well as the maximum technique factors.
2. Maximum design workload for
the facility including total weekly radiation output, [expressed in
gray (rad) or air kerma at 1 meter], total beam-on time per day or
week, the average treatment time per patient/human research subject,
along with the anticipated number of patients to be treated per day
or week.
3. A facility
blueprint/drawing indicating:
a. Scale [0.25 inch = 1 foot
is typical];
b. Direction of North;
c. normal location of the
therapeutic radiation machine's radiation port(s);
d. The port's travel and
traverse limits;
e. General direction(s) of the
useful beam;
f. Locations of any windows
and doors; and
g. The location of the
therapeutic radiation machine control panel.
h. If the control panel is
located inside the therapeutic radiation machine treatment room, the
location of the operator's booth shall be noted on the plan and the
operator's station at the control panel shall be behind a protective
barrier sufficient to ensure compliance with § 1.7.1 of this
Subchapter.
4. The structural composition
and thickness or lead/concrete equivalent of all walls, doors,
partitions, floor, and ceiling of the room(s) concerned.
5. The type of occupancy of
all adjacent areas inclusive of space above and below the room(s)
concerned. If there is an exterior wall, show distance to the
closest area(s) where it is likely that individuals may be present.
5.13.3 Therapeutic
Radiation Machines Over 150 kV
A. In addition to the
requirements listed in § 5.13.1 of this Part, therapeutic radiation
machine facilities which produce photons with a maximum energy in
excess of 150 kV and/or electrons shall submit shielding plans which
contain, as a minimum, the following additional information:
1. Equipment specifications
including the manufacturer and model number of the therapeutic
radiation machine, and gray (rad) at the isocenter and the energy(s)
and type(s) of radiation produced [ie: photon, electron]. The target
to isocenter distance shall be specified.
2. Maximum design workload for
the facility including total weekly radiation output [expressed in
gray (rad) at 1 meter], total beam-on time per day or week, the
average treatment time per patient, along with the anticipated number
of patients to be treated per day or week.
3. Facility blueprint/drawing
(including both floor plan and elevation views) indicating:
a. Relative orientation of the
therapeutic radiation machine;
b. Scale [0.25 inch = 1 foot
is typical], type(s);
c. Thickness and minimum
density of shielding material(s);
d. Direction of North;
e. The locations and size of
all penetrations through each shielding barrier (ceiling, walls and
floor), as well as details of the door(s) and maze.
4. The structural composition
and thickness or concrete equivalent of all walls, doors, partitions,
floor, and ceiling of the room(s) concerned.
5. The type of occupancy of
all adjacent areas inclusive of space above and below the room(s)
concerned. If there is an exterior wall, show distance to the closest
area(s) where it is likely that individuals may be present.
6. Description of all
assumptions that were in shielding calculations including, but not
limited to, design energy [ie: room may be designed for 6 MV unit
although only a 4 MV unit is currently proposed], work-load, presence
of integral beam-stop in unit, occupancy and use(s) of adjacent
areas, fraction of time that useful beam will intercept each
permanent barrier [walls, floor and ceiling] and "allowed"
radiation exposure in both restricted and unrestricted areas.
7. At least one example
calculation which shows the methodology used to determine the amount
of shielding required for each physical condition [ie: primary and
secondary/leakage barriers, restricted and unrestricted areas, small
angle scatter, entry door(s) and maze] and shielding material in the
facility. If commercial software is used to generate shielding
requirements, also identify the software used and the
version/revision date.
5.13.4 Neutron Shielding
A. In addition to the
requirements listed in § 5.13.3 of this Part, therapeutic radiation
machine facilities which are capable of operating above ten (10) MV
shall submit shielding plans which contain, as a minimum, the
following additional information:
1. The structural composition,
thickness, minimum density and location of all neutron shielding
material.
2. Description of all
assumptions that were used in neutron shielding calculations
including, but not limited to, neutron spectra as a function of
energy, neutron fluence rate, absorbed dose and dose equivalent (due
to neutrons) in both restricted and unrestricted areas.
3. At least one example
calculation which shows the methodology used to determine the amount
of neutron shielding required for each physical condition [ie:
restricted and unrestricted areas, entry door(s) and maze] and
neutron shielding material utilized in the facility. If commercial
software is used to generate shielding requirements, also identify
the software used and the version/revision date.
4. The method(s) and
instrumentation which will be used to verify the adequacy of all
neutron shielding installed in the facility.