QAQC -P1

Quality assurance

Is the organized effort of the staff to ensure that the diagnostic images produced are of high quality.

Quality assurance

Its purpose is to provide adequate diagnostic information with the least possible cost and the least possible radiation exposure to the patient

X-ray machine; Grid; Film processor; Light screen/View box

Diagnostic procedure chain

QAQC Program

It requires the combined effort of the whole radiology team

QAQC committee and team

Must be created to institutionalized the program

Quality assurance

embraces all aspects of diagnostic imaging processing including a visual check of the equipment and confirmation of careful preparation prior to every patient procedure as well as establishing a routine quality control testing (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually) programme of equipment.

Quality control

Includes the monitoring, evaluation and maintenance of equipment for optimal performance and stability.

Role for radiographer

Include with documenting and maintaining records for the quality control program in accordance with applicable regulations, legal requirements, accrediting agencies and recommendations from equipment manufacturer using and integrated team approach.

Role of senior radiographer

They are responsible for overseeing the equipment quality control testing programme as well as other responsible roles in the quality assurance framework in radiology department.

Head of the department

Responsible to ensure that injury or sickness, due to over working conditions, is kept to a minimum.

Staff

Must not put patients, colleagues or self at risk.

Machinery; Electricity; Hazardous chemicals; Radiation: Patients

Radiography involves working with:

Trapping fingers; loose parts falling of onto staff or patient; Equipment moving unexpectedly and striking staff or patient; Staff or patient striking head on overhead equipment

Take care with all the moving parts, to minimize the risk of:

Developers and fixers

Are hazardous chemicals

Disaster

Is any catastrophic event, earthquake, major accident involving many people, civil disturbance or war.

Dark room

Is the area wherein the exposed films are being developed. Is a room devoid of all white light in which the processing cycle of the exposed film take place.

1.6mm

Correct thickness of lead require to shield walls adjacent to the radiologic room.

15 × 9 ½ feet

A plan will be large enough to avoid crowded conditions small processing room measures ___ that permits a daily production of about 200 radiographs.

Quality control, viewer side and file room

A dark room also consists of different divisions like

Single door

It is appropriate for a small x-ray section wherein few persons only use the room. The door must have an inside lock to prevent any accidental opening while working on the said film.

Light lock or Double door

It consist of a small hall with two doors, an entrance to the darkroom and the other will be used for exit. The door must have a mechanical interlock so that is can allow the two doors to open at the same time.

Labyrinth or Maze

It is a zigzag hallway and can work without a source of light which end up in the processing room. This type of entrance has no doors, it prevents the entrance of white light. The walls and ceilings are painted with non-reflective paint and it will be illuminated with white light and safelight.

Revolving door

This is the best type of door which consists of a master door and inside door. The master door has two openings: one coming from the outside and other from the inside of the darkroom. The inside door has only one opening.

Semi-annually

The fog test should be perform

Densitometer, phantom, and fog test strip

Evaluating the presence of fog is best performed with a;

White light

It is a form of fluorescent bulb or small bulb that gives enough light that we need to do cleaning the room, etc. must be place away from the storage of the film.

Safelight

It is a lamp with color filters that provide sufficient illumination in the darkroom to give enough visibility in the processing room for the handling and processing of x-ray films. It consist of lamp housing with a 15-watts bulb and a filter (6B) to provide light

Safelight

must be mounted on the top of dry section. It should be no longer than 5 feet from the work surface.

550 nm

The amber filter transmits light that has wavelength longer than about

600 nm

Red filter transmits light about

Direct type

Type of safelight that is mounted on the dry side with the light emitted toward the area.

Indirect type

Type of safelight that the emitted by the lamp from the dry side bouncing toward the area.

Wet Film illuminator

Is mounted above and to the rear of the processing tank.

Wall Finish illuminator

If the safelight is not too safe with slightly high spectral quality and intensity as it interacts with the walls which causes the exposure of film. The walls and ceiling of the room must be painted with non-reflective paint so as to prevent any reflected light any surface.

0.05

The density difference between the fogged and unfogged portion of the film should not exceed

40% to 60%

The humidity of darkroom range from

reduce contrast and increase fog

above 60% of humidity

Static artifacts are possible

below 40%

Heat

Reduces contrast and increase the fog the radiograph

15-25 feet per minute

Air movement should be between from

Dry section

Section where the first handling of films for loading and unloading of cassette and film hanger which is being done.

Loading bench; Film bin; Storage of hangers; Storage compartment; Cassette transfer cabinet or pass box; Waste receptacle; Storage cabinet

Components of dry section

Loading bench

Is the primary component of the dry side

3 feet

The height of the loading bench must be

Storage of hangers

Should be placed above the loading bench so that it will be easier to find if it will be used

Storage compartment

A compartment mounted above the loading bench for the storage of unsealed boxes of films. It also has side for the storage of cassettes. It is an alternative storage if film bin is not available.

Cassette Transfer Cabinet or Pass Box

A box which divided into two, Exposed and Unexposed film. Is mounted through the wall between the darkroom and exposure film.

Waste Receptacle

Must be place close to the side of the loading bench if you’re using film bin. If not should be placed under the bench.

Storage cabinet

Must be place on the side of the room, close to the loading bench which divided into two, the upper portion should contain of different film boxes and lower portion for storage of different solutions.

Wet section

Section wherein processing of exposed film being done.

Automatic processors; Processing tanks; Wash tanks; Processing hanger; Interval timer; Thermometer; mixing equipment; Waterproof apron; Wet film brackets; Film dryer

Components of the wet section

Automatic processor

It is a machine consists of different stages for processing and complete procedure of one cycle. Has different system that will help in the processing of films.

Processing Tank

is used for manual processing and mounted to the opposite side of the loading bench.

Master tank

Serves as jacket to hold the insert tank.

Insert Tank

It is a removable container for individual solution and is placed in jacket of the master tank.

Wash tank

Is a second type of tank with the same size as processing tank. Allow more film to develop within a short period of time.

Single compartment

This is a type of wash tank permits rapid washing in which fresh water is circulated across the film surfaces.

Cascade

Same size as the single compartment. Has two divisions; the first stage is for initial washing and the second stage for final washing.

Processing hanger

Is a stainless metal with clips used to hung up when it’s subjected for processing.

Surface area of contact

The size and shape of the area depends of the

Hypo retention

The yellow-brown stain that slowly appears on a radiograph

Guide Shoe Marks

Improper position or springing of guide shoes in turn around assembly. Can be found on the leading edge or the trailing edge of the film parallel to the direction of film travel through processor

Static Artifacts

Is probably the most obvious artifact. Caused by build up of electrons in emulsion.

Exposure artifacts

Usually easy to detect and correct