Quality and Safety at the Department of Radiation Oncology

The safety of both patients and staff are of the utmost importance in the Department of Radiation Oncology. The department is committed to fostering an environment focused on high safety culture through continuous evaluation and monitoring of our processes.

Accreditations

In March of 2010 the department was recognized with accreditation by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and recently received re-accreditation in October of 2016. The ACR provides a third-party, impartial peer review and evaluation of patient care. Before granting accreditation, the ACR assesses quality and safety of patient care, documentation of policies and procedures, equipment maintenance and treatment planning records for quality control and documentation.

Mass General is accredited by the Joint Commission, and as such, follows all Joint Commission standards, including the Universal Protocol for “Patient Identification,” which verifies the correct patient, correct site, and correct procedure before each treatment. The patient has an active role in the identification process by verifying their name and date of birth. Wristbands are given at the first visit, and then e-cards are given to replace the wristband for daily treatment. This is one example of the many quality assurance checks that the department does before the start of each course of treatment, as well as once treatment is underway.

Quality Assurance Processes

Before each patient begins treatment, there is a rigorous QA and chart review process to ensure the patient’s treatment plan is ready for treatment. In addition, once treatment is underway, there is an ongoing series of checks and double checks to make sure that treatment is delivered safely and accurately. Our physicians and representatives from each functional area engage in a weekly peer review process to discuss and improve upon treatment plans. Our therapists conduct daily checks, and our physicists conduct monthly and annual checks on all equipment to ensure its safety and accuracy.

Commitment to Continuous Process Improvement

The Department of Radiation Oncology has been heavily invested in process improvement initiatives that improve not only patient care but also help make the department run more efficiently and increase staff satisfaction. Safety and compliance are also at the forefront of deciding upon these initiatives.

Staffing

Our hospital and department are pleased and privileged to employ some of the most talented radiation oncology experts in the world. We hold high standards for the hiring and credentialing of all staff and continually assess staff competency as part of our commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services.

Safety Culture

Mass General is committed to a culture that supports quality, safety and ongoing process improvement. If you are a patient and ever have a question about your care, we encourage you to ask questions of our staff so that you feel comfortable with the care that you receive. Learn more about Mass General's commitment to quality and safety.