The latest quarterly update of Safer Radiotherapy has been published, the first in the series of the new e-bulletin format.
Radiotherapy error (RTE) data analysis from December 2019 to March 2020 is outlined, with 98.8% being classified as minor incidents, near misses, or other non-conformances.
A total of 2077 failed safety barriers (SB) were identified and 1522 reports contained effective SB or method of detection.
No RTE directly associated with the Covid-19 response were identified. It was noted there was no obvious impact on
RTE trends for this reporting period.
In a Covid-19 related introduction, the Patient Safety in Radiotherapy Steering Group, state, “We recognise pressures on the NHS are continuing to rise and the challenges facing clinical departments are unprecedented.
“The regular collection of RTE data remains important, so where possible please continue to submit RTE reports monthly
to the NRLS and PHE. Thank you so much for your continued commitment to patient safety during these challenging times.”
The guest editorial on Covid’s silver linings, is from Petra Jankowska, consultant clinical oncologist.