Module 1 : Quality Assurance Flashcards
what is quality assurance?
a program that ensures proper and consistent operation of imaging systems
what does the QA program ensure?
- proper equipment operation
- detection of gradual degradation of performance
- minimizes machine downtime
- minimizes repeat exams
- safety
- cost efficiency
- maintains standards
who are the three main people responsible for QA?
physician
sonographer
service(biomedical/manufacturer)
who is the DIRECTOR of the QA program?
physician - must asses images for overall quality
whats the role of a sonographer in QA
- assesses images
- perform routine testing & record keeping
- maintenance
what are the two types of service personnel?
- manufacturer
- biomedical personnel
whats the role of the manufacturer in QA?
provide routine preventative maintenance & repair equipment
whats the role of biomedical personnel in QA?/
acceptance testing and patient + employee safety
what is acceptance testing? what is measured?
involves sophisticated testing before systems are placed into operation
- imaging performance & power output
what is a key component to a good QA program?
record keeping
when is routine maintenance done by the sonographer?
daily, weekly or monthly
how often do manufacturers perform PM
2 to 3 times per year while machineunder warranty
what is an older testing device with plastic case?
AIUM 100
contains 0.75mm steel rods arranged in groups and filled with water, 9% alcohol & algaecide
whats an advantage & disadvantage of AIUM100
cheaper but have no grayscale and no attenuation
what contains one or more materials that . stimulate a body of tissue in its interaction with ultrasound?
tissue equivalent phantom
what are tissue equivalent phantoms made of
- plastic case that contains gel mixed with graphite powder & rod groups + solid & cystic lesions
whats an advantage & disadvantage of tissue equivalent phantoms
- allow for grayscale, attenuation (tgc) & speed of sound
- more expensive
what characteristics must a good phantom have
- attennuation
- speed of sound
- backscatter coefficient/relative contrast
- elasticity
- thermal properties
what can phantoms test for?
- dead zone measurement
- detailed resolution
- distance accuracy
- image uniformity
- depth of penetration
- cyst imaging capabilities
what is the dead zone? how much change is acceptable?
- area in near field, also known as main bang
- can be larger with old probes
- <15mm of change is acceptable
what is axial res & how do we test for it
- ability to distinguish between two points along Y axis
- 1/2spl
- measuring smallest sepratation visible between axial pins at various depths
what is lateral resolution & how do we test for it?
ability to distinguish two pins perpendicular to the beam
