This learning from reporting section taken from Quarterly Data Summary Issue 8 focuses on radiotherapy-related incidents.
It highlights the publication of ‘Towards Safer Radiotherapy’, and work to improve patient safety being undertaken by the National Patient Safety Agency, the Royal College of Radiologists, the Health Protection Agency, the Society and College of Radiographers and other stakeholders.
Between 1 August 2006 and 31 July 2007, 2,628 radiotherapy-related incidents were reported to the Reporting and Learning System. A total of 197 incidents were reviewed and separated into emerging themes.
The analysis identifies main themes, incidents involving potential and actual inaccuracy of radiotherapy delivery, incidents involving delays, the degree of harm, and learning and future work.
