CR/DR QUALITY ASSURANCE AND MAINTENANCE ISSUES

QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE

Healthcare institutions should always provide the highest quality of care possible to their patients

JCI US/International Vision

all people always experience safe, effective, equitable, high value healthcare across all settings

Philippine Accreditors

JCI and ISO certifications

Quality Assurance (QA) Definition

a plan for the systematic observation and assessment of the different aspects of a project, service, or facility to make certain that standards of quality are being met.

Quality Control (QC) Definition

a comprehensive set of activities designed to monitor and maintain systems that produce a product

TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM) Definition

a management philosophy that promotes organizational change and continuous improvement across all aspects of the organization, focusing on customer satisfaction and effective communication

CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (CQI) Focus

tends to focus on the process rather than on the people on the service., This process focuses on improving the process or system within which the people function as team members rather than focusing on an individual's work

QC Program Sources

American College of Radiology and European systems.

TECHNOLOGIST RESPONSIBILITIES Role

Radiologic Technologists are the first line of defense in preventing, recognizing, and reporting QC issues.

TECHNOLOGIST RESPONSIBILITIES

Digital equipment require frequent and consistent oversight to avoid image errors and unnecessary patient exposure.

DAILY TECHNOLOGIST'S DR Responsibilities

check the x-ray machine itself (overall surface from x-ray table to the Machine itself (check for any unwanted scratches or dents)), do an exposure to check that the machine is within normal operating parameters and can connect to the PACS system

DAILY TECHNOLOGIST'S CR Responsibilities

check the imaging plate for any residual images, erase if necessary., Check for any Dirt in the phosphor surface., Check the hinges and latches for any damage., Also check the CR Reader if any problems are present.

DAILY TECHNOLOGIST'S Digital/Network Responsibilities

check the Digital interfaces and Networks (PACS)., connection of the CR Reader to the workstation and the ability of the DR system to send images to the PACS system., check the availability of the laser printer and its components, and the number of Laser Films loaded in it

WEEKLY TECHNOLOGISTS RESPONSIBILITIES General

Inspect the Image Receptor and the wiring of the imaging systems and check for any splits, break or any wire exposure., Also check the air intakes of the CR reader, Also, the display screens, keyboard, and mouse must be cleaned to ensure that any streaks and smears are not present

WEEKLY TECHNOLOGISTS RESPONSIBILITIES QC Tech

A designated QC Technologist must be present in the Department. He is the one tasked to handle the different tests which are given by the manufacturer, from imaging the phantom and cassette integrity.

MONTHLY TECHNOLOGIST'S SCHEDULE

Reject analysis and its reasons., Checking the Images, including suboptimal ones and its primary reasons.

SERVICE PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES Task

Preventive Maintenance (PM) will be done.

SERVICE PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES Schedule/Content

done semi-annually., consists of a series of equipment tests that are performed by the service engineer., depends on the warranty and the contract which the party agreed upon on, when the machine was purchased.

PHYSICIST'S RESPONSIBILITIES Task/Tests

Do tests as prescribed in the manual and needs of the department (filtration tests, exposure reproducibility, protective apparel tests etc.)

PHYSICIST'S RESPONSIBILITIES Schedule/Action

must check both PSP and FPD systems every 6 months., With the use of resolution test pattern, if any errors are found, it should be immediately reported to the manufacturer.