Quality

Control Test Table

Create a table of commonly performed QC tests. Include the categories listed.

Notebook #11
Test Tolerance Limits Frequency & Equipment used to Performed by Explain purpose
Exceptions perform test

QA Frequency varies from 10-step quality Healthcare Deals with people:

location to location assurance process organizations anything that deals
created by the TJC (radiologist, with proper patient
(see slide #4 in Quality department manager, care (process to
Control) etc.) find/analyze/fix
patient safety and
issues), scheduling,
communication, exam
procedures, etc.
QC Regulated by: 3-step program: Usually physicist or Deals with equipment:
TJC, insurance 1. Acceptance department personal calibration and
companies, state testing depending on testing acceptance testing,
agencies 2. Routine being performed checks to ensure
US Center for performance equipment is working
Medicare/Caid monitoring properly, repairs, etc.
Services 3. Maintenance
ACR
Filtration Minimum filtration of Annually Half value layer- Medical physicist To
2.5 Al equivalent for measure of beam determine/maintain
tubes that operate quality (primary beam patient radiation dose
above 70kVp (vary must be its intensity and safety
depending on kVp) when compared to NO
filtration)- dosimetry
equipment
Collimation and CR Collimation must be Semi-annually Lead marker for each To determine of
within 2% of SID and corner of light + collimation accurately
CR must be within 1% crosshairs for represents actual
 Quality Control Test Table
Create a table of commonly performed QC tests. Include the categories listed.

of SID collimation and lead radiation field
marker placed several
cms above cassette
surface for the CR.
Focal spot size < .8mm may be 50% Annually, also when Line pair test tool, To ensure FSS is kept
larger than nominal tube is replaced/new start test pattern, or within limits to ensure
size. tube installed pinhole camera proper image detail
Between .8mm and
1.5mm may be 40%
larger, and > 1.5mm
may be 30% larger
kVp calibration Measured kVp should Annually, or when Filtered ion chambers Medical physicist
be within 10% of set generator components and filtered
kVp have been changed photodiodes
Exposure timer accuracy Variance of 5% for Annually Ion chamber or
exposures greater photodiode assembly
than 10ms and 20%
for exposures less
than 10ms
Exposure linearity mR/mAs within 10% Annually Radiation dosimeter To ensure constant
of adjacent mA (cutie pie meter) radiation output
stations regardless of mA and
time (second)
combination used
(changing mA stations
but keeping same mAs
will produce same
radiation output)
Exposure reproducibility 5% variance tolerance Annually Ionization chamber/ To ensure each
dosimeter exposure creates
reproducibility of the
same amount of
radiation intensity
 Quality Control Test Table
Create a table of commonly performed QC tests. Include the categories listed.

each time the same
mA, kVp, and time are
used (same technique
is used)
AEC exposure OD +-0.1 in the Same procedure as
reproducibility same areas above but with a
subject
phantom/measured
with densitometer
Ion chamber sensitivity All chambers must AEC reproducibility Service engineer to Ion chambers must be
respond within 10% test (brick block) recalibrate generator equally sensitive
performed for AEC circuitry
unlocked chamber
Response capability Exposures within 10% Computerized For assurance the AEC
mr/mAs of one dosimeter readout or can respond at the
another until a time printout to determine minimum time for
below the minimum exposure time with a guarantee that images
exposure is used lucite phantom can be produced at
minimum time
Back-up timer Appropriate exposure To ensure times are
verification termination with working in order to
audible warning properly terminate
exposures in order to
protect tube/patient
Display monitors 15% for brightness Regular basis (log Spatial resolution = To ascertain image
specification and should be kept to SMPTE test pattern, quality and to monitor
within 5% of the predict when gray scale tool, phosphor decay i.e.
luminance calibration/replacement luminance meter monitor degradation
measurements should be scheduled)
PACS Quality checks Accuracy of
performed between interference b/t
each interface specific modality
systems and the EMR
 Quality Control Test Table
Create a table of commonly performed QC tests. Include the categories listed.

in the HIS and RIS

Total repeat rates Between 3-10% with Performed monthly. % of total number of Performed by the
the average being 8% images produced technologist.
(student reject rate to during period of the
be slightly above 9%) study (can be
extracted form
institutional data or
averaging number of
exams and images
produced)

Technologist responsibilities:

Daily:

o General system inspection

Inspect and clean cassettes.

Inspect hinge and latch.

Erase imaging plates.

Verify digital interfaces and network transmission.

Inspect laser printer.

 Quality Control Test Table
Create a table of commonly performed QC tests. Include the categories listed.

Weekly:

Weekly QC duties

o Clean and inspect receptors.

o Clean air intakes of imaging plate reader.

o Clean display screen

o Clean computer keyboard and mouse.

Monthly:

Monthly QC duties
o Reject analysis
o Reject reasons
o Positioning errors
o Marker errors
o Equipment malfunction errors
o Clean imaging plates
o Artifact identification
o Problem reporting