Koren Smith – Spring Clinical Meeting

SAM Questions for MPPG#8 – Linac QA

1)Which publication is NOT a reference for quality assurance tests for medical linear accelerators?

  1. AAPM TG217, Radiation Dose from Airport Scanners, 2013
  2. WHO, Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy, 1988
  3. AAPM TG40, Comprehensive QA for Radiation Oncology, 1994
  4. IAEA, Setting up a Radiotherapy Program: Clinical, Medical Physics, Radiation Protection and Safety Aspects, 2008
  5. AAPM TG142, Quality Assurance of medical accelerators, 2009

Answer: (1) AAPM TG217, Radiation Dose from Airport Scanners, 2013

Reference:

World Health Organization, Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy, WHO, Geneva (1998)

G. J. Kutcher et al, “Comprehensive QA for radiation oncology: Report of AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee Task Group 40,” Med. Phys. 21, 581-618 (1994)

IAEA, Setting up a radiotherapy programme: clinical, medical physics, radiation protection and safety aspects, Austria, 2008

E. E. Klein et al, “Task Group 142 report: Quality assurance of medical accelerators”Med. Phys. 36 (9), 4197– 4212 (2009)

2)The ICRU recommends that the dose delivered to the patient be within what percentage of the prescribed dose?

  1. ± 1%
  2. ± 2%
  3. ± 3%
  4. ± 4%
  5. ± 5%

Answer: (5) ±5%

Reference: Determination of absorbed dose in a patient irradiated by beams of x- or gamma-rays in radiotherapy procedures,” International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurement Bethesda Report 24, 1976.

3)Which technology is NOT covered under the recommended quality assurance tests in TG 142?

  1. Multileaf Collimation (MLC)
  2. IMRT with Simultaneous Gantry Movement (VMAT/RapidArc)
  3. Asymmetric Jaws
  4. Virtual Wedges
  5. Conebeam CT (CBCT)

Answer: (2) IMRT with Simultaneous Gantry Movement (VMAT/RapidArc)

Reference: E. E. Klein et al, “Task Group 142 report: Quality assurance of medical accelerators”Med. Phys. 36 (9), 4197– 4212 (2009)

4)Who is ultimately responsible for a linear accelerator quality assurance program?

  1. Medical Director
  2. Practice Administrator
  3. Qualified Medical Physicist
  4. Chief Therapist
  5. Service Engineer

Answer: (3) Qualified Medical Physicist

Reference: E. E. Klein et al, “Task Group 142 report: Quality assurance of medical accelerators”Med. Phys. 36 (9), 4197– 4212 (2009)

5)Which of the following is NOT a TG142 recommended Daily QA Test?

  1. Collimator Size Indicator
  2. Photon Beam Profile Constancy
  3. X-Ray Output
  4. Distance Indicator (ODI) @ Iso
  5. Door Interlock (Beam Off)

Answer (2) Photon Beam Profile Constancy

Reference: E. E. Klein et al, “Task Group 142 report: Quality assurance of medical accelerators”Med. Phys. 36 (9), 4197– 4212 (2009)

Per Halvorsen – Spring Clinical Meeting

SAM Questions for Patient Guidelines – MPPGs

6)The IOM report “To Err is Human”:

  1. Was published in 2013
  2. Found that ≈98,000 deaths each year are due to medical errors
  3. Found no evidence of medical errors having clinical consequences
  4. Does not endorse standardization of processes in medicine
  5. Is not yet in print

Answer: (2)

Reference: Institute of Medicine:

7)Who approves accreditation programs under MIPPA?

  1. The AMA
  2. The ACR
  3. CMS – The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  4. A new MIPPA agency established by the MIPPA legislation
  5. U.S. Health and Human Services

Answer: (3)

Reference:

United States Public Law 110-275, July 15, 2008

8)The intention of the MPPGs is to:

  1. Provide good practice recommendations for research
  2. Replace traditional AAPM Task Group reports
  3. Describe the minimum level of medical physics support the AAPM deems prudent in all clinical practice settings
  4. Define residency program curriculum requirements
  5. Create an official AAPM physics accreditation program

Answer: (3)

Reference: Chan MF, Prisciandaro JI, Shepard SJ, and Halvorsen PH. Medical Physics Practice Guidelines – the AAPM’s minimum practice recommendations for medical physicists. J ApplClin Med Phys 14(6):1-4, 2013.

9)Which of the following is NOT an MPPG in print or under Journal review?

  1. Supervision of physicists (residents, QMP-track)
  2. CT protocol management and review
  3. Linac-based X-ray IGRT systems
  4. TPS dose model QA
  5. Fluoroscopy radiation safety training

Answer: (5)

Reference: AAPM Subcommittee on Practice Guidelines,

10)Choose the correct statement regarding AAPM and MPAs:

  1. MPAs are an established membership category within the AAPM
  2. The AAPM does not recognize MPAs and has decided to NOT address the issue of assistants
  3. The AAPM Board approved a motion in 2014 to address the issue of MPAs through a multi-pronged approach
  4. Monthly Projected Averages (MPAs) are used by the AAPM for managing Committee budgets
  5. The AAPM’s Meeting Program App (MPA) is developed by a boutique Silicon Valley outfit

Answer: (3)

Reference: AAPM Board of Directors July 2014 minutes,