We were thrilled to welcome Dan Pavord, Chief of Medical Physics at Allegheny Health Network (AHN), to our recent IQM Online Workshop.
Dan shared how AHN is using the Integral Quality Monitor (IQM) system to elevate the precision, reliability, and efficiency of both patient-specific QA and routine LINAC performance checks across their extensive radiotherapy network.
With 14 Elekta Versa HD LINACs and one Elekta Unity MR-Linac deployed across the Pittsburgh metro area, AHN represents a large and complex treatment environment – one that demands scalable, high-performance QA solutions. Dan explained how IQM fits this role perfectly.
Streamlining Patient-Specific QA
IQM is deployed at three of AHN’s busiest sites and used to verify sophisticated VMAT and SRS treatments. With IQM’s unmatched sensitivity to output, MLC, and jaw positioning errors, it has become an indispensable tool—especially for their cutting-edge VMAT-TBI and DCAT workflows.
Expanding Role in Routine LINAC QA
Dan showcased how AHN uses IQM to perform automated, efficient Machine QA checks – covering output constancy, MLC positioning, energy constancy, jaw positioning, wedge factors, gantry/collimator angle accuracy, beam center stability, and even electron beam metrics.
IQM’s real-time data collection and high reproducibility have significantly cut Machine QA time – without compromising accuracy.
Establishing New QA Protocols
Using IQM’s precision measurements, Dan and his team have developed action levels and robust protocols for identifying even subtle deviations. For instance, a 1mm Y2 jaw shift showed an ~11% change in IQM signal, demonstrating IQM’s value in detecting clinically relevant errors.
Looking Ahead: Adaptive Radiotherapy
Although not yet used for real-time treatment monitoring, AHN is actively exploring IQM’s potential in adaptive radiotherapy workflows—another step forward in personalized, precision-based care.
Dan’s presentation was a powerful testament to the transformative potential of IQM in large clinical networks. His work at AHN exemplifies how a forward-thinking QA strategy, powered by IQM, can enhance patient safety, improve workflow efficiency, and drive clinical excellence.
“IQM has become an essential tool in our QA workflow – it helps us catch the errors that matter most, and it saves us valuable time every single day.”
Dan Pavord, Chief of Medical Physicist, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, USA