Lecture 10 Quality Assurance

What do quality assurances procedures assure?

high quality radiographs while avoiding excess exposure

What 3 item groups does quality control monitor?

equipment, supplies, film processing

What equipment is tested?

x-ray machine

What supplies are tested?

film, screen, cassettes

What 3 things is film processing testing?

darkroom, processors, solutions

How are dental x-ray machines quality tested?

inspections, calibrations

Who inspects dental x-ray machines?

technicians and staff

How are x-ray machines quality controlled in calibrations?

annual test and adjustments

How is a fresh film test performed? Give the GOOD and then BAD result.

process 1 film, clear, fogged

A GOOD fresh film test will appear ____ with a slight ____ tint.

clear, blue

A BAD fresh film test will appear ____, so you do ____ use that box.

fogged, not

How are screens examined? How often cleaned?

dirt and scratches, monthly

How are cassettes examined?

for closures, leaks, tears, warping

What are these?

viewboxes

In darkroom lighting, the light leaks _____. What test is performed?

monthly, coin

How often is the coin test performed?

6 months

Give the 3 steps of the coin test.

1. Place open film on counter with a ____ on top, _-_ feet away from safelight.

2. After _-_ minutes, process film

3. If ____ of coin appears on film, safelights need to be checked.

coin, 3/4, 3/5, image

How often are automatic processors tested?

daily

How many films do you use to test automatic processors? What do you do with each?

2, expose 1 to light, process both

If an automatic processor is working properly the unexposed film will be _____ and ____, the exposed film will be ____ and ____.

clear dry, black dry

How often are processing solution tests performed?

daily

What 3 tests are performed daily in relation to processing solutions?

reference radiograph, step wedge, normalizing device

A reference radiograph compares _____ of a daily film to a reference film.

densities

If processing solution has a lighter density, the developer is ____ or ____.

weak, cold

If processing solution has a darker density, the developer is ____ or ____.

concentrated, warm

What is this?

step wedge

What does the normalizing device test?

daily developer strength

A full strength fixer should clear a film in _ minutes.

2

How do you perform a clearing test? What is it testing?

place unexposed film into fixer and see how long it takes to clear, fixer

How long will a clearing test take if it needs to be changed?

3-4 mins