Radiation Treatment Program Resource Hub

Welcome to the Radiation Treatment Program Resource Hub, a central location where key Radiation Treatment Program documents, reports, and products are housed.

Documents are grouped by category. Should you have any questions about any of the content on the Resource Hub, please contact: OH-CCO_RTP@ontariohealth.ca

Content:

Please view and select an asset below to download.

Rectal Spacers Reimbursement Program

Asset	Description	Download
PEBC Biodegradable Rectal Spacers for Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy	The objective of this guideline is to provide clinical practice recommendations for the use of biodegradable spacers for prostate cancer treatment.	PEBC Biodegradable Rectal Spacers for Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy
Special Access Program Form – Rectal Spacers Reimbursement Form for Prostate Cancer Patients	This form is used for radiation oncologist to complete for the special access program.	Special Access Program Form – Rectal Spacers Reimbursement Form for Prostate Cancer Patients
Policy: Special Access Program for Rectal Spacers	This policy is related to the Special Access Program for the Rectal Spacer Reimbursement Program.	Policy: Special Access Program for Rectal Spacers
Policy: Special Access Program for Rectal Spacers – Resubmission & Appeals	This policy is related to the Special Access Program for the Rectal Spacers Reimbursement Program for Resubmissions and Appeals.	Policy: Special Access Program for Rectal Spacers – Resubmission & Appeals
Policy: Rectal Spacers Implementation Guidance Document for Prostate Cancer Patients in Ontario	This document provides guidance on the usage of rectal spacers for prostate cancer patients in Ontario and allow for monitoring and equitable access to all cancer centres.	Policy: Rectal Spacers Implementation Guidance Document for Prostate Cancer Patients in Ontario
Rectal Spacers Reimbursement Program FAQ	An FAQ document providing information on common questions about the Rectal Spacers Reimbursement Program.	Rectal Spacers Reimbursement Program FAQ

Recommendation Reports

Asset	Description	Download
Recommendation report developed by the Gynecological Cancers CoP	Best practice recommendations for various imaging strategies for the definitive treatment of cervicalcancer, utilizing intracavitary brachytherapy.	Imaging Strategies for Definitive Intracavitary Brachytherapy of Cervical Cancer
Recommendation report developed by the Radiation Therapists CoP	A recommendation report supporting the use of safety straps during radiation treatment, supported by the Radiation Therapy Professional Advisory Committee.	Implementation Strategy for Radiation Therapy Safety Straps
Recommendation report developed by the Head and Neck Cancers CoP	Recommendations are for radiation oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists and therapists specializing in the management of head and neck cancer for the purpose of IMRT treatment planning.	Dose Objectives for Head and Neck IMRT Treatment Planning
Recommendation report developed by the Head and Neck Cancers CoP	Proposals for a standard nomenclature for specification of organs at risk, gross target volumes, and clinical target volumes for head and neck radiotherapy planning.	Contouring Nomenclature
Recommendation Report developed by the Radiation Treatment Program, Nursing and Psychosocial Oncology Program, and Systemic Treatment Program	To provide recommendations with the use of electronic infusion pumps during the delivery of radiation treatment.	Use of Continuous Infusion Pumps During Radiation Treatment
Retention of Radiation Therapy Records in Ontario: Recommendation Report	Best practice recommendations for the maintenance and retention of radiotherapy health records and technical information for cancer programs.	Best Practice Recommendations for the Retention of Radiotherapy Records
Cost-Utility Analysis Comparing Magnetic Resonance Image-Guided Brachytherapy (MRgBT) to Two-Dimensional Brachytherapy (2DBT) for Patients with Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer in Ontario	Cost-Utility Analysis for MRgBT to 2DBT to evaluate the effectiveness and costs associated with the MRgBT treatment approach to traditional 2DBT.	PDF
Magnetic Resonance Image-Guided Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: Budget Impact Analysis (BIA)	Building on the results of the Cost-Utility Analysis the BIA was conducted to estimate the incremental cost of having MRgBT offered as the best practice standard of care in Ontario.	PDF

Newsletters

Asset	Description	Download
Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter, Issue 7, Fall 2018	This edition contains updates on current Radiation Treatment Program (RTP) and provincial initiatives, including Radiation Treatment – Quality Based Procedures (RT-QBP), RTP Strategic Plan, Capital Investment Strategy, RTP Communities of Practice Updates, and more.	Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter - Fall 2018
Community of Practice Newsletter – Spring 2017	CoP Newsletter infographic, published June 2017.	Community of Practice Newsletter – Spring 2017
Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter – 2016 Summer	Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter, published September 2016.	Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter – 2016 Summer
Community of Practice Newsletter – Winter 2016	CoP Newsletter, published January 2016.	Community of Practice Newsletter – Winter 2016
Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter – 2015 Spring	Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter, published May 2015.	Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter – 2015 Spring
Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter – 2015 Fall	Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter, published January 2016.	Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter – 2015 Fall
Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter – 2014 Summer	Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter, published August 2014.	Radiation Treatment Program Newsletter – 2014 Summer

Community Of Practice (CoP) Products

Associated CoP	Asset	Description	Download
Lung Cancers CoP	Lung IGRT Module	A learning module created as a guideline to standardize and facilitate the education and training of lung IGRT. The guideline was compiled as a result of a province-wide initiative examining the current state of lung IGRT and is designed to be adjusted to include your centre’s site specific policies and procedures.	PDF
	Lung IGRT Current State Assessment Summary	A summary of the IGRT current state assessment conducted by the Lung IGRT Working group.	PDF
	Lung SBRT Framework	A framework highlighting the basic requirements for the delivery of SBRT lung treatment for centres in Ontario.	PDF
	Lung PET Lit review	A literature review highlighting the benefit of Positron Emission Tomography with Fluorodeoxyglucose in radiation treatment planning for non-small cell lung cancer.	Doc
	Head and Neck Cancers CoP	Standardized IGRT Processes for HN	Doc
Physics CoP	Chart Checking Practices Current State Assessment Report	Chart Checking Practices Current State Assessment Report A report on the current practices of medical physics external beam plan checking, based on a survey conducted by the Chart Checking Practices Working Group.	PDF
	Equipment downtime definitions	Definitions of equipment downtime events, to help regional cancer centres track events in a standardized manner.	Doc
	Equipment downtime taxonomy	Taxonomy of equipment downtime events, to help regional cancer centres track events in a standardized manner.	Excel
	Managing Equipment Downtime COMP abstract	An abstract developed by the Managing Equipment Downtime Working Group around the standardized definitions and data structure for Linac service event reporting.	PDF PDF
	Best Practice Guidance for Patient-Specific Quality Assurance (PSQA) for IMRT and VMAT Plan Delivery Verification	Best practice guidance document to improve the quality and safety in treatment delivery by supporting coordination and standardization of PSQA practice across the province.	PDF
	Physics Community of Practice Patient Specific Quality Assurance (PSQA) Summary of Survey Results	Aggregate Results of Provincial PSQA to identify areas of improvement and support the development of a Best Practice Guidance in PSQA for IMRT or VMAT including SBRT.	PDF
	Best Practice Guidance for Radiation Treatment Plan Physics Review	Best practice guidance document to support standardizing physics plan review across the province to ensure high-quality of care for patients.	PDF
Radiation Safety Officers CoP	Summary document of provincial Radiation Safety Policies and Procedures.	A summary spreadsheet of various radiation safety policies and procedures across Ontario.	Excel
	Inspection preparation template	A post-inspection template to assist with recording key lessons learned following a radiation safety inspection.	Excel
	Frequency of trading out radiation badges- provincial current state assessment results.	Current state assessment results around the frequency of trading out radiation badges across Ontario cancer centres.	Excel
Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist CoP	CSRT Newsletter-1st Edition	The initial issue of the CSRT CoP newsletter.	PDF
	CSRT Workload code list (once finalized)*	In development
	Palliative CSRT Recommendation Report/Proposal (Once finalized)*	In development
	2018 CSRT CoP Annual Report	The purpose of the report is to document the work, progress, successes and future direction of the CSRT CoP.	PDF
Gynecological Cancers CoP	Models of Care for referral of patients requiring interstitial Brachytherapy for Cervix Cancer.	A three document package to assist referring hospitals identify patients who would benefit from interstitial brachytherapy, and outline the minimum requirements needed in this referral. This package was designed to assist in the organization and timing of interstitial brachytherapy treatments between centres referring patients for access to this treatment.	PDF PDF Excel
Gynecological Cancers CoP	GynCoP IMRT Guidance Document for Intact Cervix Cancer	Guidance document outlining data and processes from ongoing trials and recent publications specific to the use of IMRT in cervical cancer treatment to serve as a guide for IMRT implementation and use in Ontario.	PDF
Radiation Therapy CoP	IGRT Education Module	A series of modules designed to assist MRT(T)'s with IGRT Education to be used in combination with existing local policies at regional cancer centres. These modules can be used to assist with new hires and yearly education refreshers.	DOC DOC DOC PPTX PPTX PPTX PPTX PPTX DOC DOC DOC
Radiation Therapy CoP	Checklist Toolkit	A series of checklists designed to promote consistency and standardization for MRT(T)'s in the areas of patient education and quality assurance treatment plan checks. The checklists should include: MRT(T) Education for patients in the areas of CT Sim and First Day Education and Last Day Education for patients receiving Radiation Treatment (3 checklists) MRT(T) Pre-treatment Quality Assurance checks MRT(T) Weekly Chart Quality Assurance checks MRT(T) Last Day Quality Assurance checks	CT SIM Education & QA Checklist Day 1 Patient Education Checklist Last Day Education Checklist Weekly Chart Check QA Checklist Pre-Treatment QA Checklist Last Day QA Checklist

Radiation Treatment Program (RTP) Reporting

Asset	Description	Download
User Guide for the Bi-Monthly Primary and Metastatic Peer Review Quality Assurance Report	A user guide which provides a detailed breakdown of how to utilize the Bi-Monthly Primary and Metastatic Peer Review Quality Assurance Report.	User Guide for the Bi-Monthly Primary and Metastatic Peer Review Quality Assurance Report
Recommendations for Radiation Peer Review	The intent of this document is to provide high-level guidance on key elements of peer review, while allowing for implementation flexibility based on local and regional contexts.	Peer Review Guidance Document
Peer Review Methodology Revision Memorandum	This is a memorandum outlining changes as of June 2021 to the peer review methodology in alignment with the Radiation Treatment Quality Based Procedure (RT-QBP).	Peer Review Methodology Revision Memorandum
Breast Peer Review Guidance Document	A guidance document for best practices for the peer review of radiation treatment plans for breast.	Breast Peer Review Guidance Document
Head and Neck Peer Review Guidance Document	A guidance document for best practices for the peer review of radiation treatment plans for head and neck.	Head and Neck Peer Review Guidance Document
Lung Peer Review Guidance Document	A guidance document for best practices for the peer review of radiation treatment plans for lung.	Lung Peer Review Guidance Document

Publications

For a list of Radiation Program in Evidence Based Care (PEBC) guidelines, please follow this link to PEBC on CCO Website

Asset	Description	Download
Radiation Oncology Peer Review Guidance Document (2021)	2021 document to give overview of expectations in radical peer review practices in Ontario.	PDF
Improving the Quality of Radiation Treatment for Patients in Ontario: Increasing Peer Review Activities on a Jurisdictional Level Using a Change Management Approach (2016)	2016 publication describing the change management approach to implementing Peer Review in radiation treatment.	PDF
CIMRT utilization in Ontario: qualitative deployment evaluation (2014)	2014 publication describing a jurisdiction-wide implementation and evaluation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in Ontario, Canada, highlighting innovative strategies and lessons learned.	PDF
A Roadmap for Change: Charting the Course of the Development of a New, Advanced Role for Radiation Therapists (2014)	2014 publication provides an overview of the approaches used to develop and implement an advanced practice (AP) role, and offers guidance on the use of an evidence-based approach to the evaluation of such positions.	PDF

CSRT CoP Publications

Developing Advanced Practice: Face the Issues, Find the Solutions. Harnett, Nicole Canadian Journal of Medical Radiation Technology , Volume 38 , Issue 4 , 56 – 60
A Roadmap for Change: Charting the Course of the Development of a New, Advanced Role for Radiation Therapists Harnett, Nicole; Bak, Kate; Zychla, Laura; Lockhart, Elizabeth, Journal of Allied Health, Volume 43, Number 2, Summer 2014, pp. 110-116(7)
Radiotherapy Treatment Review: A Prospective Evaluation of Concordance between Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist and Radiation Oncologist in Patient Assessments. Lee, Grace et al. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences , Volume 43 , Issue 1 , 6 - 10
Evaluation of variability in seroma delineation between clinical specialist radiation therapist and radiation oncologist for adjuvant breast irradiation. Lee, Grace et al. Practical Radiation Oncology , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , 114 - 121
The Role of the Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist in Delivering Person Centred Care Across the Cancer Continuum D'Alimonte, L. et al.
Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences , Volume 48 , Issue 1 , S7
Patient Satisfaction with the Role of a Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist in Palliative Care Natalie Rozanec MRT(T), Sandra Smith MRT(T), Woodrow Wells MD, FRCPC, Elen MoyoMRT(T), MEd, Laura Zychla MA(c) and Nicole Harnett MRT(T), MEd Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 2014-06-01, Volume 45, Issue 2, Pages 167-168
Concordance of a Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist and Radiation Oncologist: A Prospective Study involving Treatment Planning and Assessment of Patients Receiving Palliative Radiotherapy for Bone Metastases
Natalie Rozanec MRT(T), Charles Cho MD, FRCPC, PhD, Louis Fenkell MD, FRCPC, Zahra Kassam MD, FRCPC, Mojgan Taremi MD, FRCPC, Zishan Allibhai MD, FRCPC, Jason WongMD, FRCPC, Woodrow Wells MD, FRCPC, Laura Zychla MA(c) and Nicole Harnett MRT(T), MEd
Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 2014-06-01, Volume 45, Issue 2, Pages 165-166,
QuickStart radiotherapy: an inter-professional approach to expedite radiotherapy treatment in early breast cancer Grace Lee^(a1), Robert E. Dinniwell^{(a1) (a2)}, Thomas G. Purdie^{(a1) (a2)}, Mohammad Rahman^(a1), Sophie Foxcroft^(a1) and Anthony Fyles^{(a1) (a2)} Volume 14, Issue 3, September 2015 , pp. 236-243
Advancing Our Practice Through the Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist Model: Catching Up With Canada Vapiwala N, Giuliani M, Harnett N. International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics , Volume 98 , Issue 3 , 497 - 500
Advancing Practice, Improving Care the Integration of Advanced Practice Radiation Therapy Roles into a Radiotherapy Department: A Single Institution Experience Laura D'Alimonte MRT(T), MHSc, Lori Holden MRT(T), BSc, Angela Turner MRT(T), MHSc, Darby Erler MRT(T), MHSc, Emily Sinclair MRT(T), MSc(c), Nicole Harnett MRT(T), MEd and Lisa Di Prospero BSc, MRT(T), MSc
Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 2017-06-01, Volume 48, Issue 2, Pages 118-121,
Ten Years of Advanced Practice in Ontario: Reflections and Recollections Amanda Bolderston RTT, FCAMRT, Marcia Smoke RTT, ACT, Donna Lewis RTT and Nicole Harnett RTT, ACT
Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 2013-09-01, Volume 44, Issue 3, Pages 163-165,

CSRT Project Resources (2007–2016)

Asset	Description	Download
CSRT Project Oversight Committee TOR	Terms of Reference documents that define the operation parameters, and the responsibilities and accountabilities for the various CSRT committee.	CSRT Project Oversight Committee
CSRT Community of Practice TORs		CSRT Community of Practice
Selection Advisory Committee	Documentation providing the criteria for evaluation of the relevant submissions, including templates to record and report results.	Selection Advisory Committee
Portfolio Assessment Form		Portfolio Assessment Form
Senior CSRT Report Template - 2015	Structured templates for therapists to submit relevant materials and results depending on their stage of development (competency development and assessment tools, workflow diagrams, curriculum vitae templates, data sheets, etc.).	Senior CSRT Report Template - 2015
Junior CSRT Report Template - 2015		Junior CSRT Report Template - 2015
New CSRT Report Template - 2015		New CSRT Report Template - 2015
CSRT Implementation Toolkit	A toolkit which sets out primary principles for the development of a new healthcare provider role, and guides authors to the appropriate resources and tools to build a robust and compelling business case.	CSRT Implementation Toolkit
Manager Interview Script	Scripts outlining the structured or semi-structured scripts to follow during an interview or for use in a focus group for the appropriate groups.	Manager Interview Script
Direct Supervisor Script		Direct Supervisor Script
Senior CSRT Script		Senior CSRT Script
CSRT Position Descriptions	Position descriptions providing examples of Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist job descriptions and proposals.	CSRT Position Descriptions
CSRT Position Proposals		CSRT Position Proposals
CSRT Demonstration Project Final Report 2010	The 2010 Final CSRT Report which summarizes the demonstration phase (2007-2010). This phase consisted of 4 sub-phases and focused on piloting the initial 10 Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist roles across 5 cancer centres.	CSRT Demonstration Project Final Report 2010
CSRT Summative Report 2015_16	Five CSRT project reports which summarize the project from 2011/12 to 2015/16.	CSRT Summative Report 2015_16
CSRT Sustainability Project Report 2014_15		CSRT Sustainability Project Report 2014_15
CSRT Sustainability Project Final Report 2013_14		CSRT Sustainability Project Final Report 2013_14
Final CSRT Report 2012_13		Final CSRT Report 2012_13
		CSRT Sustainability Project Final Report 2011_12
CSRT Community of Practice Membership Application Form	CSRT CoP Membership Application Form	CSRT CoP Membership Application Form

Radiation Treatment-Quality Based Procedure

Asset	Description	Download
Radiation Quality Based Procedures (RT QBP) – Guide To Data Investigation	The purpose of this document it to provide radiation treatment programs resources to triage common errors found in the operational reports The document also provides links to additional resources and a tool to identify the most appropriate contacts to address program concerns	PDF
Sarcoma: Sarcoma Treatment Management Guidelines Example - PMH May 1, 2018	Example of Sarcoma Treatment Management Guidelines from PMH (May 1, 2018). The example treatment management guidelines serve as a reference document in support of the RT-QBP Sarcoma quality metrics.	PDF
Finalized Breast Protocols and Quality Metrics	The finalized slide deck for the RT-QBP for breast cancer, including finalized treatment protocols and quality metrics.	PDF
Finalized GU Protocols and Quality Metrics	The finalized slide deck for the RT-QBP for GU cancer, including finalized treatment protocols and quality metrics.	PDF
Finalized GI Protocols and Quality Metrics	The finalized slide deck for the RT-QBP for GI cancer, including finalized treatment protocols and quality metrics.	PDF
Finalized Lung Protocols and Quality Metrics	The finalized slide deck for the RT-QBP for Lung cancer, including finalized treatment protocols and quality metrics.	PDF
Finalized Hematology Protocols and Quality Metrics	The finalized slide deck for the RT-QBP for hematological cancers, including finalized treatment protocols and quality metrics.	PDF
Finalized CNS Protocols and Quality Metrics	The finalized slide deck for the RT-QBP for CNS, including finalized treatment protocols and quality metrics.	PDF

Contact List

Name	Title and Contact Information
Eric Gutierrez	Group Manager, Radiation Treatment Program Eric.Gutierrez@ontariohealth.ca +1 (437) 703-2896
Nareesa Ishmail	Team Lead, Radiation Treatment Program nareesa.ishmail@ontariohealth.ca
Julie Kraus	Team Lead, Radiation Treatment Program (Maternity Leave) Julie.kraus@ontariohealth.ca
Brian Liszewski	Advisor, Radiation Treatment Program brian.liszewski@ontariohealth.ca +1 (647) 797 3823
Renata Chmieleski	Lead, Radiation Treatment Program renata.chmielewski@ontariohealth.ca
Kristin Berry	Senior Specialist, Radiation Treatment Program kristin.berry@ontariohealth.ca
Angelica Ramprashad	Senior Specialist, Radiation Treatment Program angelica.ramprashad@ontariohealth.ca
General Inquiries	Radiation Treatment Program OH-CCO_RTP@ontariohealth.ca