Multinational assessment of some operational costs of teletherapy.

摘要: Background and purpose: Decisions in planning radiotherapy facilities countries with limited financial resources require information on economic factors to make provision for sustainability. This study aims at acquiring data some of these involved delivery teletherapy 11 different status. Patients methods: Representatives three European, one African, Latin American four Asian countries, were identified from radiation oncology institutions that operated both cobalt linac machines. Productivity prospectively collected the year 2002. A detailed log was recorded each machine over an arbitrary two-week period. Data quality assurance (QA), maintenance, capital costs machine, source replacement units also recorded. Results: Both linear accelerators machines treat more than 10,000 fractions per 2.5 2.3 fields fraction, respectively. The vary considerably, a factor 10 accelerators. Cobalt sources show huge variation price. median QA maintenance US$ 41,000 compared 6000 results considered fraction 11.02 4.87 These figures do not include physicians. Conclusions: is due result differences usage equipment national treatment functionality comparable cobalt, 50% therapy. project shows it possible collect as well retrospectively. q 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.