Petrone Associates | Medical Physics Services and Comprehensive Consulting

Petrone Associates addresses the specific needs of clients in every aspect of diagnostic and therapeutic ionizing and non-ionizing radiation applications. We provide expert consultative services in all modalities, as listed below. Services are designed to comply with all pertinent local, state and federal requirements of all regulatory agencies and organizations (e.g., MQSA, ACR, IAC and Joint Commission Accreditation standards).

Diagnostic Imaging Physics

Radiation Oncology Physics Services

Joint Commission compliance physics

ACR and IAC accreditation physics

Shielding analysis and design

Radiation safety survey

Acceptance testing

Annual, semi-annual, monthly, and periodic testing (customized)

Quality control manual

Radiation safety and dose optimization education

Comprehensive Dose Optimization

Patient dosimetry

New Department/Equipment selection and planning

Shielding design and specification

Full radiation oncology regulatory support

Radiation safety survey

Equipment commissioning and treatment planning system data formatting and acceptance

Equipment calibration as needed

Annual MVCT and KVCBCT dosimetry

Imaging system evaluation

Monthly machine quality assurance

End to end testing

Accreditation support (ACR, ACRO, and ASTRO)

Physics peer program review

Medical physics and medical dosimetry on-site clinical personnel support

Weekly chart checks

Plan generation and review

Brachytherapy planning and treatment

IMRT, IGRT, SBRT, and VMAT treatment planning and QA

Cyberknife planning

Tomotherapy planning, calibration and QA

Shielding analysis and design

Radiation safety survey

Acceptance testing

Annual, quarterly, and periodic equipment testing (customized)

Quality control manual

CBCT radiation safety education

Staff training

Acceptance, Commissioning and Annual Calibration

Shielding analysis and design

Radiation safety survey

Annual equipment performance evaluation

CRESO evaluation (NYS)

Full Facility Support (technical, regulatory, and physics)

ACR, MQSA and IAC accreditation physics

Shielding analysis and design

Acceptance testing

Radiation safety survey

Annual and periodic testing

Annual workstation evaluation

Radiation safety education

Radiation dose analysis and optimization

Staff training

Joint Commission compliance physics

ACR and IAC accreditation physics

Facility analysis, consultation and verification testing

Acceptance testing

Annual and periodic testing

MRI Safety Compliance Audit

MRI Safety Training

Shielding analysis and design

Radiation safety survey

Acceptance testing

Annual, semi-annual, quarterly and periodic testing (customized)

Radiation safety and training

Quality control and radiation safety manual

Patient dosimetry

Acceptance testing

Periodic comprehensive system evaluation (customized))

Acceptance testing

Annual, quarterly and periodic evaluations

Joint Commission compliance physics

Quarterly comprehensive department compliance audits

ACR and IAC accreditation physics

Shielding analysis and design

Radiation safety survey

Acceptance testing

Annual, semi-annual, quarterly and periodic testing (customized)

Radiation safety education and training

Radiation dose analysis and optimization

Patient dosimetry

Radiopharmaceutical therapy physics

Quality control and radiation safety manual

Fugitive waste monitor evaluation

Homeland Security radiation emergency program

Joint Commission compliance physics

ACR and IAC accreditation physics

Shielding analysis and design

Radiation safety survey

Acceptance testing

Annual, semi-annual, quarterly and periodic testing (customized)

Radiation safety education and training

Radiation dose analysis and optimization

Quality control and radiation safety manual

Joint Commission compliance physics

ACR and IAC accreditation physics

Shielding analysis and design

Radiation safety survey

Acceptance testing

Annual, semi-annual, quarterly and periodic testing (customized)

Radiation safety education and training

Radiation dose analysis and optimization

Quality control and radiation safety manual

Secure Client Portal

Exclusively for clients of Petrone Associates, and provided at no charge, access to a secure custom client portal will be provided. Stored on the portal for access 24/7/365 are all documents and physics reports (listed by room/unit name) that are generated as a result of our professional interactions. These include but are not limited to, all physics and quality assurance documents, radiation safety minutes and correspondence, dose optimization materials, physics calibration certificates and physics personnel credentials. Also, exclusively for clients, the website contains important Links, Forms and Policies as well as Education Programs covering a complete range of topics.

Clients find the portal an invaluable resource which ensures an organized one-stop destination for all their compliance needs. Understanding the importance of this resource, we are committed to a dynamic, ever-evolving portal, and will continue to enhance the functionality of the website, taking into account your needs as a valued client.

Joint Commission – Compliance 2019

Petrone Associates offers comprehensive, full service medical physics programs and testing for all ionizing and non-ionizing diagnostic imaging and therapeutic modalities including Dose Optimization, Regulatory Compliance, Computed Tomography, Mammography, Magnetic Resonance, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Safety Office, Radiation Oncology Physics and beyond.

Beginning in 2019 Petrone Associates will introduce a new suite of compliance services that include CT Dose Optimization and a Fluoroscopy Program for both Joint Commission and state requirements, and a full service Radiation Safety Office Program. This includes:

CT Dose Optimization – Joint Commission and State Requirements:

Set up of monitoring program
Participation in establishing methodology for monitoring CT doses
ACR DIR set up consultation, mapping, testing of data transfer integrity and accuracy
Set alert values for real time monitoring by CT staff
Establish methodology for real time recording and action for doses which exceed alert levels
Initial review of all protocols
Conduct initial CT Dose Optimization (required) educational session for CT staff (ASRT 1 credit), and perform annually thereafter.
Quarterly comprehensive analysis of CT dose data for each scanner.
- Review of all protocols reported against National data and established benchmarks.
- Creation of report to include list of alerts and summary of analysis
- List of protocols and comparison of each to the National registry data
- Discussion of outliers and summary with recommendations for improvement
In person attendance at Radiation Safety Committee / Dose Committee to present comprehensive Dose Optimization Compliance report and discuss findings, recommendations and action steps.
Annual review of CT Dose Optimization Compliance Program. Report will include summary of noteworthy changes in the past 12 months, an annual physics protocol review and record of annual CT Dose Optimization training.

Fluoroscopy Program – Joint Commission and State Requirements:

Initial and Annual review of Fluoroscopic protocols, policies and procedures. Participation and consultation in policy and protocol generation.
Participation in setup of Fluoroscopic dose monitoring procedures with alert values and action steps. Setup of record keeping mechanism to upload procedural data for analysis and inclusion in reporting and follow up.
Quarterly comprehensive analysis of fluoroscopic doses facility-wide. Follow up on those exceeding alert values. Dose analysis (peak skin dose) and reports for individual cases as needed (unlimited). Comprehensive report for presentation at Radiation Safety Committee / Dose Committee meetings.
In personal attendance at RSC / Dose Committee to present comprehensive fluoroscopy compliance report.
Education:
Maintain program of compliance with all Joint Commission and State requirements for education/credentialing in fluoroscopy / FGI.
Utilize robust online platform to track initial and refresher training for all pertinent facility staff (e.g., surgeons, cardiologists, nurses, pain management, endoscopy, etc.) as supplied by facility.
System will track compliance and regular quarterly reports will be provided to facility.
System provides auto on-line training tailored to the categorical requirements of individual staff.

Radiation Safety Office (RSO) – Full Service Program

Establish and maintain a fully compliant Radiation Safety Committee
Contribute as key member of Dose Committee
Participate in other pertinent facility committees (e.g., EOC, QI, QA, etc.)
Maintain and continually update Radiation Safety Policies and Procedures
On site presence per State (or other) requirements
Dose reduction initiatives of ACR, State, Joint Commission, etc.
Administer comprehensive Radiation Safety training curriculum facility-wide
Joint Commission RSO responsibilities in facility’s CT Dose and Fluoroscopy programs

Maintains comprehensive ALARA program
Implements robust personnel monitoring program
Quarterly and Annual reports to RSC / Dose Committees
Comprehensive Annual review of overall Radiation Safety Program
Individual consultation regarding employee/ patient radiation exposure
Participate in facility radiation emergency response plan
Maintain Radioactive Materials license (renewals and amendments)
Fulfill all traditional roles of medical RSO as well as new Joint Commission / State roles recently defined.

General Regulatory Compliance

Annual department audits for compliance with Joint Commission, ACR (or IAC) and State regulations. Each audit will include a comprehensive report and a summary of action items which facilitate and organize a state of full compliance.
Radioactive materials licensing applications and amendments
Assistance with Radiation equipment registrations and permits
Regulatory liaison to represent the client in any communication, program, action, etc.
Robust Regulatory Alert system to notify clients of up-to-date new enforcement information

ACR and IAC Accreditation

We perform 100% of the physics functions for these accrediting agencies and work with your team to ensure successful outcomes.