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BackgroundEvery day a large amount of data is produced within a radiotherapy department. Although this data is available in one form or other within the centralised systems, it is often not in the form which is of interest to the departmental staff. This work presents a flexible browser based reporting and visualization system for clinical and scientific use, not currently found in commercially available software such as MOSAIQTM or ARIATM. Moreover, the majority of user merely wish to retrieve data and not record and/or modify data. Thus the idea was conceived, to present the user with all relevant information in a simple and effective manner in the form of web-services. Due to the widespread availability of the internet, most people can master the use of a web-browser. Ultimately the aim is to optimize clinical procedures, enhance transparency and improve revenue.MethodsOur working group (BAS) examined many internal procedures, to find out whether relevant information suitable for our purposes lay therein. After the results were collated, it was necessary to select an effective software platform. After a more detailed analysis of all data, it became clear that the implementation of web-services was appropriate. In our institute several such web-based information services had already been developed over the last few years, with which we gained invaluable experience. Moreover, we strived for high acceptance amongst staff members.ResultsBy employing web-services, we attained high effectiveness, transparency and efficient information processing for the user. Furthermore, we achieved an almost maintenance-free and low support system. The aim of the project, making web-based information available to the user from the departmental system MOSAIQ, physician letter system MEDATECR and the central finding server MiraPlus (laboratory, pathology and radiology) were implemented without restrictions.ConclusionDue to widespread use of web-based technology the training effort was effectively nil, since practically every member of staff can master the use of a web-browser. Moreover, we have achieved high acceptance amongst staff members and have improved our effectiveness resulting in a considerable time saving.The many MOSAIQ-specific parts of the system can be readily used by departments which use MOSAIQ as the departmental system.

The precondition for the goal to operate a homogeneous and comprehensive management of a clinic for radiotherapy was the direct connection of the acceleration area with the organizational/administrative surrounding. The thus developed common basic dates and consistence created transparency and allowed us for the first time to control all operational procedures by EDV-technical means. After 2 years full-time operation and implementation of numerous particular projects we are now ready for film- and paperless digital work.

The Clinic of Radiotherapy succeeded in realizing a completely digital workflow for radiotherapy irradiation planning. During the testing phase, our digital workflow was examined and afterwards was approved by the responsible authority.