Verification of measuring procedures and implementation of a new quality control system for the selectron LDR/MDR unit

CelWeryfikacja procedur i wdrożenie do praktyki klinicznej opracowanych w Centrum Onkologii – Oddział w Krakowie (COOK) krajowych zaleceń systemu kontroli jakości aparatów Selectron LDR/MDR.Materiał i metodyDokument Krajowe zalecenia dotyczące kontroli aparatów stosowanych w brachyterapii: aparat Selectron LDR/MDR zawiera opis procedur kontrolnych i wykaz wyposażenia niezbędnego do ich wykonania. Realizując poszczególne procedury kontroli jakości oceniano przejrzystość opisu, stopień trudności technicznego wykonania każdej z nich oraz czytelność dokumentowania wyników na zaproponowanych wzorach arkuszy kontrolnych.Wyniki i wnioskistwierdzono, że:-opisy procedur sąjednoznaczne i klarowne;-system kontroli jest spójny i obejmuje zagadnienia, które mają wpływ na bezpieczne i dokładne przeprowadzenie aplikacji źródeł promieniotwórczych;-zaproponowane arkusze kontrolne są przydatne a informacje w nich zawarte dają pełny obraz sprawności aparatu.PurposeVerification of measuring procedures and implementation in clinical practice of national (domestic) recommendations developed by the Oncology Centre- M. Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Institute in Cracow, for a quality control system for the Selectron LDR/MDR units.Material and methodsThe document entitled National (domestic) recommendations for Quality Control of units used in brachytherapy: Selectran LDR/MDR unit includes a description of control procedures and a list of equipment necessary for their implementation. In carrying out all the quality control procedures the following items were evaluated: lucidity of description, difficulty of technical implementation of procedures, as well as readability of the system of recording results in the recommended control forms.Results and conclusionsIt was found that•descriptions of procedures are unambiguous and clear;•the control system is consistent and includes problems which have an effect on secure and accurate application of radioisotope sources;•the recommended control forms are useful, and the information contained therein provides a full characterisation of the unit's performance

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Verification of geometry reconstruction and dose calculation modules of the PLATO radiotherapy planing system

PurposeVerification of reconstruction of application geometry and of calculations of dose distribution in the PLATO v. 13.7 system for brachytherapy treatment planning.Materials and methodsThe correctness of geometry reconstruction was verified using a Perspex phantom with lead markers. Dose calculations were verified by comparing values calculated by the system against values calculated „manually” and against published benchmark values.ResultsThe average difference between marker co-ordinates in the phantom, as measured mechanically, and as reconstructed by the PLATO system, did not exceed 0.4 mm. The maximum relative difference between values of dose at given points, calculated by the PLATO system and values of dose calculated „manually” at those points, did not exceed 0.3%. The PLATO system was found to correctly reproduce the published benchmark data.ConclusionsThe geometry reconstruction software module unit and the dose distribution algorithm of the PLATO v. 13.7 planning system used at the Centre of Oncology in Kraków, were found to operate correctly

Molecular epidemiology of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata strains isolated from intensive care unit patients in Poland

Over the last decades, Candida spp have been responsible for an increasing number of infections, especially in patients requiring intensive care. Knowledge of local epidemiology and analysis of the spread of these pathogens is important in understanding and controlling their transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of 31 Candida albicans and 17 Candida glabrata isolates recovered from intensive care unit patients from the tertiary hospital in Krakow between 2011-2012. The strains were typed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymerase chain reaction using five primers (CD16AS, HP1247, ERIC-2, OPE-3 and OPE-18). The results of the present investigation revealed a high degree of genetic diversity among the isolates. No clonal relationship was found among the C. albicans strains, whereas two C. glabrata isolates were identical. The source of Candida infection appeared to be mostly endogenous; however, the presence of two clonal C. glabrata strains suggested the possibility of cross-transmission of these pathogens. Our study confirmed the high discriminatory power of the RAPD technique in the molecular typing of Candida clinical isolates. This method may be applied to the evaluation of transmission routes of pathogenic fungi on a local level

A proposal for optimisation of the prophylaxis system and treatment of occupational voice disorders

The number of professions in which voice is the primary work tool is constantly rising. This fact poses new challenges for ENT specialists, phoniatricians and occupational medicine professionals in the scope of certifying, prophylaxis and treatment of occupational voice disorders in Poland. On the basis of multicentre experience in this field, a model for optimization of treatment of occupational dysphonia is proposed, taking into account active participation of occupational voice users in the process of prophylaxis and rehabilitation.Liczba zawodów wymagających znacznego obciążania narządu głosu systematycznie zwiększa się. Stawia to nowe wyzwania dla lekarzy laryngologów, foniatrów i lekarzy medycyny pracy, którzy powinni zapewnić tej populacji kompleksową opiekę. Przedstawiono aktualny stan prawny w zakresie orzecznictwa, profilaktyki i leczenia chorób zawodowych narządu głosu w Polsce. Na podstawie wieloośrodkowych doświadczeń w tej dziedzinie zaproponowano optymalizację profilaktyki dysfonii zawodowych z uwzględnieniem aktywnego współuczestnictwa osób pracujących głosem w procesie profilaktyki i rehabilitacji