La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § XV-757

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section XV-757 - Periodic Spot-Checks

A. Periodic Spot-Checks for Teletherapy Units

1. A licensee authorized to use teletherapy units for medical use shall perform output spot-checks on each teletherapy unit at intervals not to exceed one month.

2. To satisfy the requirement of Paragraph A.1 of this Section, spot-checks shall include determination of:

a. timer accuracy and timer linearity over the range of use;

b. "on-off" error;

c. the coincidence of the radiation field and the field indicated by the light-beam localizing device;

d. the accuracy of all distance-measuring and localization devices used for medical use;

e. the output for one typical set of operating conditions; and

f. the difference between the measurement made in Subparagraph A.2.e of this Section and the anticipated output, expressed as a percentage of the anticipated output (i.e., the value obtained at last full calibration corrected mathematically for physical decay).

3. A licensee shall use the dosimetry system described in LAC 33:XV.755 to make the spot-check required in Subparagraph A.2.e of this Section.

4. A licensee shall perform spot-checks required by Paragraph A.1 of this Section in accordance with procedures established by the authorized medical physicist. The authorized medical physicist does not need to actually perform the output spot-check measurements.

5. A licensee shall have the authorized medical physicist review the results of each output spot-check within 15 days. The authorized medical physicist shall promptly notify the licensee in writing of the results of each output spot-check. The licensee shall keep a copy of each written notification for two years.

6. A licensee authorized to use a teletherapy unit for medical use shall perform safety spot-checks of each teletherapy facility at intervals not to exceed one month.

7. To satisfy the requirement of Paragraph A.6 of this Section, safety spot-checks shall ensure proper operation of:

a. electrical interlocks at each teletherapy room entrance;

b. electrical or mechanical stops installed for the purpose of limiting use of the primary beam of radiation, restricting source housing angulation or elevation and carriage or stand travel, and operating the beam "on-off" mechanism;

c. beam condition indicator lights on the teletherapy unit, on the control console, and in the facility;

d. viewing systems;

e. treatment room doors from inside and outside the treatment room; and

f. electrically-assisted treatment room doors with the teletherapy unit electrical power turned "off."

8. A licensee shall lock the control console in the "off" position if any door interlock malfunctions. No licensee shall use the unit until the interlock system is repaired unless specifically authorized to do so in writing by the department.

9. A licensee shall promptly repair any system identified in Paragraph A.7 of this Section that is not operating properly. The teletherapy unit shall not be used until all repairs are completed.

10. A licensee shall maintain a record of each spot-check required by Paragraphs A.1 and 6 of this Section for two years. The record shall include the date of the spot-check; the manufacturer's name, model number, and serial number for both the teletherapy unit and source; the manufacturer's name, model number, and serial number of the instrument used to measure the output of the teletherapy unit; the timer accuracy and linearity; the calculated "on-off" error; a determination of the coincidence of the radiation field and the field indicated by the light beam localizing device; the timer accuracy and linearity for a typical treatment time; the calculated "on-off" error; the estimated accuracy of each distance-measuring or localization device; the difference between the anticipated output and the measured output; notations indicating the operability of each entrance door electrical interlock, each electrical or mechanical stop, each beam condition indicator light, the viewing system, and doors; and the signature of the individual who performed the periodic spot-check.

B. Periodic Spot-Checks for Remote Afterloader Units

1. A licensee authorized to use a remote afterloader unit for medical use shall perform spot-checks of each remote afterloader facility and on each unit:

a. before the first use of a high dose-rate, medium dose-rate, or pulsed dose-rate remote afterloader unit on a given day;

b. before each patient treatment with a low dose-rate remote afterloader unit; and

c. after each source installation.

2. A licensee shall perform the measurements required by Paragraph B.1 of this Section in accordance with written procedures established by the authorized medical physicist. The authorized medical physicist need not actually perform the spot-check measurements.

3. A licensee shall have the authorized medical physicist review the results of each spot-check within 15 days. The authorized medical physicist shall notify the licensee as soon as possible in writing of the results of each spot-check.

4. To satisfy the requirements of Paragraph B.1 of this Section, spot-checks shall, at a minimum, ensure proper operation of:

a. electrical interlocks at each remote afterloader unit room entrance;

b. source exposure indicator lights on the remote afterloader unit, on the control console, and in the facility;

c. viewing and intercom systems in each high dose-rate, medium dose-rate, and pulsed dose-rate remote afterloader facility;

d. emergency response equipment;

e. radiation monitors used to indicate the source position;

f. timer accuracy;

g clock (date and time) in the unit's computer; and

h. decayed source activity in the unit's computer.

5. If the results of the checks required in Paragraph B.4 of this Section indicate the malfunction of any system, a licensee shall lock the control console in the "off" position and not use the unit except as may be necessary to repair, replace, or check the malfunctioning system.

6. A licensee shall retain a record of each check required by Paragraph B.4 of this Section and a copy of the procedures required by Paragraph B.2 of this Section for three years. The records shall include:

a. the date of the spot-check;

b. the manufacturer's name, model number, and serial number for the remote afterloader unit and source;

c. an assessment of timer accuracy;

d. notations indicating the operability of entrance door electrical interlocks, radiation monitors, source exposure indicator lights, viewing and intercom systems, and clock and decayed source activity in the unit's computer; and

e. the name of the individual who performed the periodic spot-check and the signature of the authorized medical physicist who reviewed the record of the spot-check.

7. A licensee shall retain a copy of the procedures required by Paragraph B.6 of this Section until the licensee no longer possesses the remote afterloader unit.

C. Periodic Spot-Checks for Gamma Stereotactic Radiosurgery Units

1. A licensee authorized to use a gamma stereotactic radiosurgery unit for medical use shall perform spot-checks of each gamma stereotactic radiosurgery facility and on each unit:

a. monthly;

b. before the first use of the unit on a given day; and

c. after each source installation.

2. A licensee shall:

a. perform the measurements required by Paragraph C.1 of this Section in accordance with written procedures established by the authorized medical physicist; and

b. have the authorized medical physicist review the results of each spot-check within 15 days. The authorized medical physicist shall notify the licensee as soon as possible in writing of the results of each spot-check.

3. To satisfy the requirements of Subparagraph C.1.a of this Section, spot-checks shall, at a minimum:

a. ensure proper operation of:

i. treatment table retraction mechanisms, using backup battery power or hydraulic backups with the unit off;

ii. helmet microswitches;

iii. emergency timing circuits; and

iv. stereotactic frames and localizing devices (trunnions);

b. determine:

i. the output for one typical set of operating conditions measured with the dosimetry system described in LAC 33:XV.755.B;

ii. the difference between the measurement made in accordance with Clause C.3.b.i of this Section and the anticipated output, expressed as a percentage of the anticipated output (i.e., the value obtained at last full calibration corrected mathematically for physical decay);

iii. the degree of agreement between source output and computer calculation;

iv. timer accuracy and linearity over the range of use;

v. "on-off" error; and

vi. trunnion centricity.

4. To satisfy the requirements of Subparagraphs C.1.b and c of this Section, spot-checks shall ensure proper operation of:

a. electrical interlocks at each gamma stereotactic radiosurgery room entrance;

b. source exposure indicator lights on the gamma stereotactic radiosurgery unit, on the control console, and in the facility;

c. viewing and intercom systems;

d. timer termination;

e. radiation monitors used to indicate room exposures; and

f. emergency "off" buttons.

5. A licensee shall arrange for the repair of any system identified in Paragraph C.3 of this Section that is not operating properly as soon as possible.

6. If the results of the checks required in Paragraph C.4 of this Section indicate the malfunction of any system, a licensee shall lock the control console in the "off" position and not use the unit except as may be necessary to repair, replace, or check the malfunctioning system.

7. A licensee shall retain a record of each check required by Paragraphs C.3 and 4 of this Section for three years. The record shall include:

a. the date of the spot-check;

b. the manufacturer's name, model number, and serial number for the gamma stereotactic radiosurgery unit and the instrument used to measure the output of the unit;

c. an assessment of timer linearity and accuracy;

d. the calculated "on-off" error;

e. a determination of trunnion centricity;

f. the difference between the anticipated output and the measured output;

g. an assessment of source output against computer calculations;

h. notations indicating the operability of radiation monitors, helmet microswitches, emergency timing circuits, emergency "off" buttons, electrical interlocks, source exposure indicator lights, viewing and intercom systems, timer termination, treatment table retraction mechanism, and stereotactic frames and localizing devices (trunnions); and

i. the name of the individual who performed the periodic spot-check and the signature of the authorized medical physicist who reviewed the record of the spot-check.

8. A licensee shall retain a copy of the procedures required by Paragraph C.2 of this Section until the licensee no longer possesses the gamma stereotactic radiosurgery unit.

D. Additional Technical Requirements for Mobile Remote Afterloader Units

1. A licensee providing mobile remote afterloader service shall:

a. check survey instruments before medical use at each address of use or on each day of use, whichever is more frequent; and

b. account for all sources before departure from a client's address of use.

2. In addition to the periodic spot-checks required by Subsection B of this Section, a licensee authorized to use mobile remote afterloaders for medical use shall perform checks on each remote afterloader unit before use at each address of use. At a minimum, checks shall be made to verify the operation of:

a. electrical interlocks on treatment area access points;

b. source exposure indicator lights on the remote afterloader unit, on the control console, and in the facility;

c. viewing and intercom systems;

d. applicators, source transfer tubes, and transfer tube-applicator interfaces;

e. radiation monitors used to indicate room exposures;

f. source positioning (accuracy); and

g. radiation monitors used to indicate whether the source has returned to a safe shielded position.

3. In addition to the requirements of periodic spot-checks in Paragraph D.2 of this Section, a licensee shall ensure overall proper operation of the remote afterloader unit by conducting a simulated cycle of treatment before use at each address of use.

4. If the results of the checks required in Paragraph D.2 of this Section indicate the malfunction of any system, a licensee shall lock the control console in the "off" position and not use the unit except as may be necessary to repair, replace, or check the malfunctioning system.

5. A licensee shall retain a record of each check required by Paragraph D.2 of this Section for three years. The record shall include:

a. the date of the check;

b. the manufacturer's name, model number, and serial number of the remote afterloader unit;

c. notations accounting for all sources before the licensee departs from a facility;

d. notations indicating the operability of entrance door electrical interlocks, radiation monitors, source exposure indicator lights, viewing and intercom system, applicators, source transfer tubes, and transfer tube applicator interfaces, and source positioning accuracy; and

e. the signature of the individual who performed the check.

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § XV-757

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Air Quality and Radiation Protection, Radiation Protection Division, LR 18:34 (January 1992), amended by the Office of Environmental Assessment, Environmental Planning Division, LR 26:2590 (November 2000), LR 30:1183 (June 2004), amended by the Office of Environmental Assessment, LR 31:54 (January 2005), amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs Division, LR 32:814 (May 2006).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2001 et seq.