What is the primary role of quality assurance in radiation therapy?

The primary role of quality assurance in radiation therapy is to ensure consistent treatment delivery. Quality assurance procedures are designed to validate that the equipment, techniques, and protocols used in radiation therapy are functioning correctly and reliably. This consistency is crucial because even minor variations in treatment can significantly affect patient outcomes and the efficacy of the therapy. By implementing quality assurance measures, healthcare providers can minimize errors, enhance the safety of the treatment environment, and ensure that patients receive the prescribed doses of radiation in a safe and effective manner.

Additionally, while improving patient outcomes is an important aspect of healthcare, it is more of a downstream benefit of effective quality assurance practices rather than the primary role itself. Managing patient records and monitoring radiation levels, albeit important tasks in the broader context of patient care and safety, are specific functions that do not encompass the overall objective of quality assurance in treatment delivery. The focus of quality assurance is specifically tailored to the processes and protocols that underpin reliable and repeatable treatment administration in radiation therapy.