RT212-QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL

Quality control

Visible, on-going effort to collect information about an imaging operation

Quality control

Part of an overall Quality Assurance (QA) program

Quality control

Seeks to get the most efficient performance from both the imaging facility and the physician

malfunction

inefficient use of radiation

unpredictability

High fluoroscopic output

Inadequate filtration

Radiation not reaching receptor

Oversized collimation

QC can detect

MIU HIRO

acceptance testing

establishment of baseline performance

diagnosis of changes in performance

verification of correction of deterioration

4 components of qc

acceptance testing

first opportunity to determine whether the imaging equipment meets the requirements of state and federal regulatory agencies

acceptance testing

conducted before used for patients

acceptance testing

conducted in the presence of vendor service engineer, so it can be corrected immediately if possible

acceptance testing

used to establish baseline performance

diagnosis of changes in performance

Limits of maximum deviation from normal before initiating corrective action

Diagnostic Quality

Quality image that makes accurate diagnosis possible

Diagnostic Quality

Can be described in terms of contrast, resolution, and noise

contrast, resolution, and noise

diagnostic quality can be described in terms of

Calibration of generator

Collimation

Beam alignment

Linearity of exposure

Spatial resolution

quality control testing used in computed radiography CC BLS

PROCESSOR FUNCTION

SCREEN CONTACT

ARTIFACT AVOIDANCE

For film the <> <> <> was critical

computer monitor, image transfer and image receptor plate

in digital radiography the <> <> <> become the critical areas for quality assurance

PROCESS MAP

Flowchart of the steps involves in performing a DR exam

SIMPLE QC

A <> include a checklist on the exam request that the RT annotates to indicate that all these actions were taken.

REJECT ANALYSIS

a time-honored method for assessing and improving quality of imaging operations

QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM

An organized effort by the staff operating a facility to ensure that the diagnostic images produced are of a sufficiently high quality so that they consistently provide adequate diagnostic information at the lowest possible cost and with the least possible exposure of the patient to radiation.

maintain optimal quality of diagnostic images;

reduce unnecessary radiation exposure to patient and staff;

be cost effective

what are the objectives of the QA program MRB

Quality control testing

administrative procedures

preventive maintenance procedure

testing

Quality assurance includes facets such as QAPT

quality control

An integral part of quality assurance

quality control

Involves specific actions designed to keep measurable aspects of the process involved in manufacturing a product (image) or providing a service within specified limits.

inherent variability of the process or equipment

age, reliability and frequency of use of the equipment

criticality of the element in the imaging chain

The frequency of any QC test depends on the following variables; IAC

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE

These procedures are design to verify that QC testing is effective

tests are performed regularly and correctly,

The results evaluated promptly and accurately

Necessary action taken.

in administrative procedure these procedures are design to verify that qc testing is effective

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE

These are performed on a regularly scheduled basis with the goal of preventing breakdowns due to equipment failing without warning signs detectable by monitoring.

Visual inspection of mechanical and characteristics of the xray system

Following manufacturer's recommended procedures for cleaning and maintenance of the equipment

regular inspection and replacement of parts that routinely wear out or fail

Preventive maintenance procedure includes; VFR

Quality Assurance Committee

Personnel in the QA program who are responsible to oversight of the QA program, setting the goals and direction, determining policies, and assessing the effectiveness of QA activities.

Quality Assurance Committee

They have an overall documented strategy with clearly defined work plans to achieve the goals and objectives of the radiology department.

Medical Physicist

Radiologist

Biomedical engineer

Medical Imaging Technologist (MIT) and Radiographer

Information Technology (IT) Technician

enumerate the committee members of quality assurance

MEDICAL PHYSICIST

An individual who is competent to independently practice in one or more of the subfields in medical physics.

MEDICAL PHYSICIST

Advising the facility on radiation protection of the patient, staff and members of the public.

MEDICAL PHYSICIST

Conducting tests to ensure the safety and proper performance of imaging equipment used.

MEDICAL PHYSICIST

Assignment of Bio-medical engineering service staff for corrective maintenance or preventive actions.

MEDICAL PHYSICIST

Training of personnel utilized for quality control

MEDICAL PHYSICIST

Develop and implement a radiation protection program

RADIOLOGIST

A medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury by using medical imaging technologies.

RADIOLOGIST

Determine the overall quality of the output image

RADIOLOGIST

Select the technologist to be the primary QC technologist, performing the prescribed QC tests.

RADIOLOGIST

Ensure that appropriate test equipment and materials are available to perform the QC tests

RADIOLOGIST

Ensuring that medical physicists and radiographers have adequate training and continuous education

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEER

use their knowledge of modern biological principles in their engineering principle to design and develop devices and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems

Corrective and preventive maintenance

fault reporting

biomedical engineer are involve in

MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIST (MIT) & RADIOGRAPHER

Ensuring that the appropriate protocol and technique factors are used for the requested examination.

MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIST (MIT) & RADIOGRAPHER

Ensuring that the QC tests are performed, interpreted and recorded appropriately

MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIST (MIT) & RADIOGRAPHER

Perform all the checks for the daily, monthly and quarterly QC testing of equipment

MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIST (MIT) & RADIOGRAPHER

Report faults immediately any deviation in trend of equipment performance to QA manager

MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIST (MIT) & RADIOGRAPHER

Undertaking additional continuous education courses

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TECHNICIAN

A key element of any digital radiology facility that intends to store, review and distribute images electronically or using hard copy.

Performance Deployment Testing

information technology technician is involved in <> <> <>

COSTLY

drawback of qa program

unclear responsibility

lack qualification

lack of commitment to perform QA test

qa program drawback in terms of personnel

Regular maintenance inspections are carried out

Safety procedures are followed

Adequate staff instruction is given

Safety equipment is readily available

To make the environment as safe as possible, make certain the following; RSAS

QUALITY ASSURANCE

promote the effective use of radiation for a diagnostic outcome through achieving and maintaining appropriate image quality and reduction of patient dose.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

in medical imaging is a rapidly evolving concept and each facility is encouraged to continually pursue ways to improve and expand its program.