DICOM Ballot: Seeking approval of the proposed DICOM Supplement: Supplement 176: Second Generation Radiotherapy –Tomotherapeutic, Multiple Fixed Source and Robotic-Arm Treatment Modalities

Dear DICOM community, please see the ballot below from DICOM and please advise as to how Canada should vote by Nov 4 as the ballot is due November 6

To: DICOM Standard Committee (DSC) Voting and Alternate Voting Members
Letter Ballot seeking DICOM Standard Committee (DSC) approval of the Proposed DICOM Supplement:
Supplement 176: Second Generation Radiotherapy –Tomotherapeutic, Multiple Fixed Source and Robotic-Arm Treatment Modalities

Ballot opens: 2019-09-18
Ballot closes: 2019-11-06

Scope and Field of Application
This supplement introduces new RT Radiation IODs for non-C-Arm treatment devices. It specifically addresses Tomotherapeutic, Multiple Fixed Source and Robotic-Arm Treatment Modalities.
The Supplement makes use of the real-world model and specifications introduced to the DICOM Standard by Supplement 175. References, definitions, etc. not present in this supplement can be found in the DICOM Standard.

Who can vote? Only the designated Primary voting representatives of the DSC member organizations/companies are invited and entitled to vote. (Votes may also be submitted by the designated Alternate voting representatives, on behalf of the Primary representative.) (Others in the DICOM Community will receive a copy of this ballot as a courtesy so that all will be apprised of anticipated extensions to the DICOM Standard.)

Instructions for accessing the documents and submitting comments:
1. As noted above the DICOM Secretariat (MITA/NEMA) uses a third party software. I want to mention that it is no longer called “KAVI”, the new name for this platform is “Higher Logic” or the distribution of this Letter Ballot and collection of the responses and comments.
2. To access NEMA/Higher Logic: an ‘account’ has been set up and an individual password has been assigned by NEMA for all Primary and Alternate voting members of the DSC. Some members have already used this ‘account’ to access other NEMA workspaces. Others may not have used it or forgot the password. When clicking on the below links for the first time you will be prompted to enter your e-mail and password to gain access. If you do not know or forgot your password, click right-away on ‘forgot password’ and follow the instructions. If any problems, please contact the NEMA Webmaster This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. To Download document(s) to local drives:
Click on the ‘Download’ links below to download the Word and/or PDF versions of the draft Supplement. If the Word and PDF versions differ, the PDF version governs. The access dialog box may appear; follow instructions in par. 2 above to log in/access.
4. Submit Votes/Comment(s):
Click on the ‘Vote/Comment’ link below. The access dialog box may appear; follow instructions in par. 2 above to log-in/access. Thereafter enter your vote. If you wish to comment (or must comment with a negative vote) the comment-submission-template appears. Please complete the mandatory fields. Generally do not check the ‘Notify all members….’ option in order to reduce e-mails but check the other two notify options.
Forms of comments:
· You may enter text, or attach a document containing your comments, or mark-up parts or the whole of the document and attach same.
· If your comments relate to several specific sections you can combine them in a single comment entry or make separate comment entries.
Your vote may be:
In the old ballots In this new ‘Higher Logic ’ ballot
· Approve select “Affirmative” in the “Ballot Options” section of the form
· Approve with comments select “Affirmative” and click on “Add Comment” in the “Comments” section
· Disapprove (comments required) select “Negative”- you must click on “Add
Comment” and “Save” the comment
· Abstain select “Abstain” as a “Ballot Option”
· Abstain with comments. select “Abstain” and click on “Add
Comment” in the “Comments” section
Note: A negative vote should be accompanied by comment(s) on the particular paragraph or area with which the voter takes exception. The objections or concerns cannot be properly addressed without pertinent comments. (However, you do not need to cast a negative vote in order to comment.)
[END OF INSTRUCTIONS]

Sup176_lb_NewRTRadiations.docx-PDF Document:
standards.nema.org/higherlogic/ws/groups/4afd70e2-799e-4ecf-94f3-f06b9755b4d2/download/27126

Sup176_lb_NewRTRadiations.docx -WORD Document:
standards.nema.org/higherlogic/ws/groups/4afd70e2-799e-4ecf-94f3-f06b9755b4d2/download/27125

Sup176_lb_NewRTRadiations.docx -Overview PPT:
standards.nema.org/higherlogic/ws/groups/4afd70e2-799e-4ecf-94f3-f06b9755b4d2/download/27127

Submit your vote/comment:
standards.nema.org/higherlogic/ws/groups/4afd70e2-799e-4ecf-94f3-f06b9755b4d2/ballots/ballot?id=2887

If you have questions and/or need assistance to vote or submit a comment, contact the NEMA web master (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or the undersigned DICOM staff.

Luiza Kowalczyk, AStd.
Senior Manager, DICOM Operations
Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA)