IMRT BENCHMARK_vrs5_final.doc - IMRT Benchmark vrs 4 IMRT...

IMRT Benchmark vrs 4
IMRT BENCHMARK
An institution may become credentialed to use IMRT in clinical trials by either successfully
completing this IMRT benchmark or by successfully completing an IMRT phantom irradiation.
Unless a phantom measurement credentialing process is required by a specific protocol or by the
NCI, the successful completion of the IMRT benchmark has been accepted by all of the NCI
funded cooperative groups and Quality Assurance Offices as a minimum standard for an
institution to be credentialed for use of IMRT in clinical trials. The benchmark is not site
specific, i.e. it applies to IMRT treatment of all disease sites. If an institution successfully
irradiates the IMRT Head and Neck phantom, this successful irradiation will satisfy the IMRT
benchmark requirement. Guidelines for the IROC HOUSTONphantom credentialing process can
be obtained from the IROC HOUSTONwebsite ( ).
This benchmark is not applicable to Cyberknife units. Cyberknife users must complete the head
and neck phantom irradiation.
Whichever credentialing pathway an institution chooses, i.e. the IROC HOUSTONphantom
irradiation or this benchmark, the institution must complete the credentialing process following
the chosen pathway. Institutions unable to pass the IROC HOUSTONphantom test will not be
considered for credentialing using the benchmark; likewise institutions unable to pass the
benchmark test will not be considered for credentialing with the IROC HOUSTONphantom.
Once you have been credentialed for IMRT, your institution will not need to repeat the
credentialing steps unless there is a change in IMRT planning system (not version number) or
delivery technique (such as dynamic arc or tomotherapy) or a protocol specifically requires
additional IMRT credentialing. If there is any question about your credentialing status the
institution should contact the appropriate quality assurance office. See Table 1.