When implementing newer technologies practices often rely on vendor training, an evaluation of published literature, and collaboration with others experienced in the technology. Incident learning has a critical role in radiation therapy and may be most important in new and emerging technologies. RO-ILS: Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System® can share the de-identified experiences of practices across the country with the community, including practices who may only just be considering implementing these technologies. Incident learning data is a unique mechanism to supplement prospective risk analysis by collating challenges and lessons learned from others. Presentations by the RO-ILS advisory council of RO-ILS data is an important mechanism to share anonymized real-world data and experience with the community, especially critical in the areas of emerging technology. Attendees learn how to approach challenging scenarios to ensure safe and consistent treatment delivery, filling the knowledge gap of how to approach these new technologies and build robust systems around their initial implementation.

The practice of radiation oncology is constantly evolving. Newer technologies such as MR-guided radiation therapy, online adaptive radiation therapy, and autocontouring have been gaining wider adoption. Additionally, practices must navigate the challenges of acquiring new equipment, transitioning to new software, or updating existing software. To safely accomplish these advances, practices must develop comprehensive educational plans and operating procedures. Lessons learned from incident learning often provide important insight for practices to optimize patient safety. An expert panel focuses on difficult to manage safety issues in the latest era of radiation oncology as seen in RO-ILS: Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System® events. Members of the Radiation Oncology Healthcare Advisory Council (RO-HAC) share de-identified RO-ILS data and cases on the theme of new technology, either new to the field or field to the practice. A multidisciplinary panel of RO-HAC members and RO-ILS users discuss considerations in how they would approach such safety events and associated themes. Participants receive an enhanced understanding of how to approach errors reported from across the country and have practical ways to implement process changes in their clinics to improve patient safety.

Topics:

1. Introduction
   Bill J. Salter, PhD
2. MR-guided Radiation Therapy (MRgRT): Case Presentations 
   Ann Raldow, MD, MPH
3. Online Adaptive Pitfalls as Told to RO-ILS
   Jeffrey R. Olsen, MD
4. Automated Contouring
   Bill J. Salter, PhD
5. Implementing New Technology in Radiation Oncology
   Timothy D. Shafman, MD
6. Q and A
   Full Panel

This activity is available from May 28, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 27, 2026. 

This activity was originally recorded at the 2023 ASTRO Annual Meeting.