Title: Feasibility study of improving fuzzy control charts for statistical process control in radiotherapy

Authors: Ali Azadeh; M. Ameli; P. Souri; A. Baradaran; M.A. Agah

Addresses: School of Industrial Engineering and Center of Excellence for Intelligent Based Mechanic, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran ' School of Industrial Engineering and Center of Excellence for Intelligent Based Mechanic, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran ' School of Industrial Engineering and Center of Excellence for Intelligent Based Mechanic, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran ' School of Industrial Engineering and Center of Excellence for Intelligent Based Mechanic, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran ' School of Industrial Engineering and Center of Excellence for Intelligent Based Mechanic, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: This study aims to assess and improve the quality of radiotherapy process using statistical quality control tools. This is to ensure the effective radiotherapy process before treatment, which is called intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Our objective is to compare the safety level of this process with the standard data's, collected from cardiac patients who are going through this process. In addition, in order to predict the patient's situation after this process, we will identify effective factors to increase the quality of process and consequently to locate means to achieve the optimal quality. Two statistical quality control tools have been used in this research to analyse the process; cause and effect diagram and control charts. Due to existence of uncertainty within and between the processes, fuzzy control charts are used. Results show that fuzzy control diagrams for the treatment process of prostate cancer is caused by different random reasons and they are controlled statistically. Fuzzy control charts can provide predictions about effectiveness of treatment or presence of probable errors.

Keywords: statistical quality control; SQC; statistical process control; SPC; radiotherapy; fuzzy control charts; fuzzy control index; quality management; productivity; intensity modulated radiation therapy; IMRT; uncertainty; cancer treatment; prostate cancer; cause and effect diagrams; fishbone diagrams.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2016.074857

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2016 Vol.17 No.3, pp.289 - 307

Received: 15 Jan 2014
Accepted: 24 May 2014
Published online: 21 Feb 2016 *

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