When must brachytherapy sources be calibrated?

Brachytherapy sources must be calibrated before being used for clinical dosimetry to ensure accurate dosimetric calculations and safe delivery of radiation doses to patients. This calibration process involves verifying the source strength, which is critical for determining the precise radiation dose the patient will receive. Accurate calibration is essential because even small errors in the dose can significantly impact treatment effectiveness and patient safety.

The calibration process ensures that the dosimetry system is accurate and ready for clinical use, allowing medical physicists and dosimetrists to plan treatments confidently. Proper calibration also helps in maintaining consistency and adherence to safety protocols, aligning with best practices in radiation therapy.

This emphasizes the importance of rigorous standards in radiation oncology and highlights the necessity for dosimetrists to have a thorough understanding of when and how to calibrate brachytherapy sources as part of their responsibilities in patient care.