ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S4222

RTT - Education, training, advanced practice and role developments

ESTRO 2025

1132

Digital Poster From training to certification: enabling radiotherapy technologists to apply non-invasive mechanical ventilation in clinical radiotherapy research Mark G. van Drimmelen 1 , Mike J. Parkes 1,2 , Markus F. Stevens 3 , Jeffrey K. Veldman 1,2 , Thomas Weststrate 1,2 , Eva Verseijne 1,2 , Arjan Bel 1,2 , Irma W.E.M. van Dijk 1,2 1 Radiation Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 2 Treatment and Quality of Life, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 3 Anaesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands Purpose/Objective: Accurately delivering tumour doses in radiotherapy whilst minimizing radiation exposure to organs at risk (OARs) is essential, but is challenged by respiratory-induced motion.. Techniques like gating, tracking, and deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) can assist, but irregular breathing often leads to inaccuracies in treatment delivery. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) supported regularized breathing has proven to be an effective alternative [1-3]. To implement NIMV for research and clinical practice, radiotherapy technologists (RTTs) were trained to ventilate healthy volunteers and patients independently. We evaluated the RTT training program and the potential of RTTs to train peers, focusing on reducing training hours through efficient methods. Material/Methods: Four RTTs were trained in pairs by an respiration physiologist to operate the Hamilton-T1 and Hamilton-MR1 mechanical ventilators (Hamilton Medical AG, Bonaduz, Switzerland; Figure 1). Training, supported by a training manual, started on the Hamilton-T1 and included an comprehensive overview of the ventilator functions, theoretical knowledge on settings, and troubleshooting strategies. The primary goal was to apply regularized breathing patterns (5-60 breaths per minutes) in stages [4], initially on an artificial lung. Thereafter, RTTs learned to ventilate each other through a facemask with an antiviral/bacterial filter connected to the ventilator (Figure 2). Additionally, they completed training on the MRI-safe Hamilton-MR1. The RTTs developed a setup sheet containing step-by-step instructions for ventilator settings, including blank notation spaces to monitor vital functions throughout the procedure, thus ensuring consistency in NIMV procedures and guaranteeing patient safety. Finally, the RTTs took an exam supervised by a respiration physiologist and anaesthesiologist/intensivist using a standardized assessment form.