1. A Pilot Study of CT Simulator Downtime at an African Cancer Conference: Survey Results from AORTIC 2023.
- Author
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Dykstra MP, Netherton TJ, Lasebikan NN Sr, Ndoli DA, Kibbude S, Mohammed BA, Balter P, Melancon AD, Roberts D, Shah JL, Coleman J, Kitonyi MN, Mallum A, Lazarus GL, Waweru AK, Shaw W, Hawley ST, Wallner LP, and Court LE more...
- Abstract
Purpose: CT simulation is required for centers performing 3D conformal radiotherapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy. Therefore, CT simulator downtime is likely to lead to delays in patient care. We sought to characterize CT simulator downtime within the African context., Materials and Methods: A pilot clinician survey was developed to evaluate CT simulator downtime frequency, causes, and workflow impact over the last year. It was distributed to African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) Conference attendees in November 2023 and through radiotherapy networks on the African continent. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data., Results: Responses were obtained for 22 CT scanners in 16 centers across 9 African countries. Nigeria (n=6) and South Africa (n=3) had the most centers represented. Most centers (n=10, 63%) had a single CT scanner capable of simulation, five (31%) had two, and one (6%) had three scanners. For the 19 CT simulators with downtime information available, 11 (58%) were down for at least 15 days in the last year. Median downtime per episode was 3.5 days [IQR 1 - 9.75]. Three CT simulators were down all year, two of which were the only CT simulator at their respective centers. CT simulators were down due to intrinsic causes for median 8 days [IQR 3 - 37.5] and extrinsic causes for median 1 day [IQR 0 - 7.5]. Most machines (n=17, 77%) were under an active maintenance contract. Most centers (n=11, 69%) lacked access to an alternate CT scanner for simulation during downtime, while three (19%) maintained normal workflow., Conclusions: CT simulator downtime is highly variable across the African continent and can cause significant disruptions in radiotherapy treatment at some centers. Intrinsic causes led to most downtime. These results suggest reducing CT simulator downtime frequency and duration or implementing simulation-free workflows may decrease patient delays., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Lauren P Wallner: Honoraria from Kaiser Permanente, Consulting or Advisory Role at Gilead Sciences, Travel, Accommodations, Expenses provided by Gilead Sciences Laurence E Court: Stock and Other Ownership Interests at LEO Cancer Care Research and research funding from Varian Medical Systems/Siemens Healthineers No other authors have competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.) more...
- Published
- 2025
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