A national strategy for quality and safety in radiotherapy: A comprehensive quality improvement approach.

148 Background: Canada utilizes a public payer, private health care delivery model, delegated sub-nationally. Effective coordination of uniform access to safe, high quality care can be challenging in this and similar international models. Quality improvement in radiotherapy (RT) involves approximately 50% of all cancer patients who will require RT during their illness. The Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy (CPQR) is a national quality improvement approach employing pan-Canadian engagement of a multi-disciplinary group of physicians, allied health professionals, administrators and patients. The objectives are to create a national culture of safe, high quality RT delivery for all patients; develop and implement a comprehensive sustainable national program for safe, high quality RT. Methods: All CPQR QA products/programs are processed using standard methodology of review and validation through community consultation, and endorsed by national stakeholders. QA products are incorporated into nationa...