Novel Number-Color Code System for Improving Catheter Identification in Gynecologic Brachytherapy.

PURPOSE To develop and implement a novel number-color code system to enhance catheter identification and evaluate its effectiveness after one year of clinical use.

METHODS Radiopaque buttons with unique number-color combinations were used for freehand catheters and number tags for template-based catheters, replacing handwritten adhesive labels. A multidisciplinary survey was conducted to assess accuracy, ease of use, speed, and user confidence on a five-point Likert scale, comparing the new and previous methods. The issues encountered and suggestions for improvement were recorded.

RESULTS Twenty-two of 28 staff members, including five radiation oncologists, seven radiotherapy technologists, four nurses, five medical physicists, and one dosimetrist, participated in the survey. No incorrect identification was reported with either method. Personnel with direct applicator contact rated the new system higher on all aspects of freehand catheters. Medical physicists and dosimetrists also gave higher ratings but noted the radiologic invisibility of the colors and suggested shape coding. The most common issue was button positioning, particularly when locating and connecting transfer tubes. For template-based catheters, number tags were preferred over adhesive labels, although legibility issues persisted, with suggestions to enlarge tags or engrave numbers.

CONCLUSIONS The number-color code system is simple and well-accepted by users. Further studies should define objective measures and develop more robust identification labels.