Because radiation is a central curative and palliative therapy for many patients, it is essential to have safe and efficient systems for planning and delivering radiation therapy. Factors such as rapid technological advances, financial reorganization, an aging population, and evolving societal expectations, however, may be compromising our ability to deliver highly reliable and efficient care.

Engineering Patient Safety in Radiation Oncology describes proven concepts and examples, borrowed from organizations known for high reliability and value creation, to guide radiation...