Presented by Samantha Dawes, CMD
Director of Quality Improvement 
ASTRO
and
Ksenija Kujundzic, BS
Quality Improvement Manager
ASTRO

From the AAMD Virtual 45th Annual Meeting
July 6 -10, 2020

NOTE: If you earned CE Credits for this session during the AAMD Virtual 45^thAnnual Meeting, you will not be eligible to earn CE Credits for it again.

Quality improvement involves both prospective and retrospective reviews geared at measuring the current state of practice, identifying trends, and improving processes without the attribution of blame. The goal of two distinct ASTRO-led programs, RO-ILS: Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System® and APEx®: Accreditation Program for Excellence, is to promote quality and safety of radiation oncology via a multidisciplinary, organization-wide initiative. Thanks to RO-ILS supporters such as AAMD, the program is free of charge and allows facilities the opportunity to collect, analyze and address safety errors in a legally protected environment. APEx focuses on a multidisciplinary approach to care that concentrates on quality measurement to encourage safe, effective and peer-reviewed radiation oncology care. The APEx process is predicated on a self-assessment which provides applicants the opportunity to confidentially self-study, compare themselves to established standards, and implement self-correction to prepare for a more productive facility visit and accreditation experience. Both programs may play a role in the upcoming Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model, further elevating the importance of the topics. Attendees of this session will learn what measures of quality improvement can be garnered from these programs at a national level and local level.

Learner Outcomes:
1. Self-examine dosimetry-related policies and procedures at your facility to promote quality improvement
2. Develop effective corrective actions to mitigate potential incidents and near misses
3. Apply systems thinking to quality initiatives such as error mitigation and compliance with accreditation standards

Educational Level: Entry Level

Presenters:
Samantha Dawes, CMD is the Director of Quality Improvement at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) where she oversees programs focused on clinical guideline development, measure development, patient safety, and the ASTRO Accreditation Program for Excellence (APEx®). She has over 25 years of experience as a medical dosimetrist in a variety of practice settings in multiple countries around the world. 

Ksenija Kujundzic is the Quality Improvement Manager at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). Over the last seven years at ASTRO, she has worked on projects related to health policy, patient registries, measure development, patient safety, and Medicare quality payment programs. She currently manages the RO-ILS: Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System® national program.