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Title: Implementation committee report to plan development committee on megavoltage therapy in New Hampshire

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5035110

This report on megavoltage therapy units in New Hampshire presents definitions and background information and reviews personnel and support services; the New Hampshire experience; planning and regulations; and goals, objectives, and actions. Megavoltage therapy is the category of radiation therapy that uses the highest energy radiation, one million electron volts or higher. New Hampshire has three sites at which radiation therapy is provided, and in these sites there are three different types of megavoltage therapy machines. Personnel for whom standards are suggested by the American College of Radiology include: radiation therapists; staff therapists; physicists; radiation therapy technologists; and treatment planning and support workers. Their requirements are summarized in an appendix. A wide range of support services is necessary to ensure the effective use of the megavoltage therapy unit as part of a comprehensive cancer program. Clinical specialists in oncology nursing should be available on a referral or consultation basis for the region. In 1979 New Hampshire had 1,978 megavoltage therapy patients. This is much less than the number of patients currently being treated each year at any New Hampshire unit and less than the number that could support a unit.

Research Organization:
United Health Systems Agency, Inc., Concord, NH (USA)
OSTI ID:
5035110
Report Number(s):
HRP-0904095/7
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English