ABSTRACT
The Quality Handbook includes the description of the activities carried out in Radiotherapy and the methodology used to ensure the Quality Assurance according to the principles indicated in national and international documents of reference and the recommendations of accreditation agencies. The structure of the Quality Handbook, the main aspects of single chapters, the selected quality indicators undergoing inspections are analysed and procedures to be followed for changes and updating of the Quality Handbook are described. The Quality Assurance program is illustrated in another article of this issue.
Subject(s)
Radiotherapy/standards , Reference Books/standards , Humans , Quality Indicators, Health CareABSTRACT
The process of accreditation is analyzed in light of the national "Atto di Indirizzo e Coordinamento per l'Accreditamento Istituzionale". While assessment criteria are established at the national level, the determination of requirements is assigned to the Regions.
Subject(s)
Accreditation , Health Services/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Services/standards , Humans , Italy , Total Quality ManagementABSTRACT
Brachytherapy is a conventional method of radiation therapy characterized by peculiar technical, clinical, operational and radioprotection problems. Therefore, the management of a service or department of brachytherapy requires a specific organization aimed at Quality Assurance. In this report, the personal experience with the drawing up of a Quality Handbook of brachytherapy with reference to the method used and the structure of the document, is described.
Subject(s)
Brachytherapy/standards , Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards , Reference Books/standards , HumansABSTRACT
The quality and dimensions of the Quality Handbook in healthcare are shortly defined. Particular emphasis is put on the role of the quality of compliance and on certification (ISO 9000). The role of quality assessment in healthcare processes is described. It is not conceived as an inspection but rather as an incentive to a continuous quality improvement in healthcare processes. Within the quality of compliance, the role of the Quality Handbook and its modalities of definition, organization and implementation are illustrated.
Subject(s)
Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards , Radiotherapy/standards , Reference Books/standards , Certification , Humans , SemanticsABSTRACT
The approach to the implementation of a Quality Assurance Program applied from 1 October 2000 at the Radiotherapy Service of the "Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Policlinico "A. Gemelli" of Rome, is described. Some major aspects of this program are analyzed.
Subject(s)
National Health Programs/standards , Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards , Radiotherapy/standards , Humans , ItalyABSTRACT
A procedure to make optical quality thin films of Zn(x)Cd(1-x)Te by use ofvacuum evaporation of the ternary compound has been developed. Thestarting point was the preparation of the compound that was then usedas the source in a simple vacuum evaporation system. Thecharacteristics of a film containing 85% ZnTe (x =0.85) are presented. Electron microscope, atomic forcemicroscope, x-ray and optical spectral measurements were made. Theindex of refraction was determined at room temperature fromtransmittance measurements in the range of from 580 to 800 nm and wasfound to agree within 1% with values found by others for singlecrystals. We did this by assuming a Sellmeier equation and a knownindex of refraction at infinite wavelength. The calculation alsoyielded the roughness of the film.
ABSTRACT
Pseudo-hyponatremia is a rare condition characterized by a decrease in plasma dodium concentration associated with a normal or increase effective plasma osmolarity. We present the case of a 62 year old woman with multiple myeloma (IgG) who had a plasma sodium of 84,5 mEq/l (as measured with flame photometry) and an anion gap of - 8,8 mEq/l. However, when determined with an ion-selective electrolde, plasma sodium was 135 mEq/l. The patient was treated with an ion-selective electrode, plasma sodium was 135 mEq/l. the patient was treated with chemotherapy and did not receive sodium. One week later, plasma sodium - again measured by flame photometry - was 134 mEq/l and the anion gap 4.0 mEq/l. The pathophysiological and clinical aspects of pseudo-hyponatremia and the anion gap are discussed
