QA Flashcards
Which two duty holders are expected to know the principles of QA and QC applied to equipment and techniques and according to which body?
IRMER
Practitioners and Operators
What is QA?
Arrangements to ensure QC methods are effective and they lead to relevant change
What is quality control
Specific measures for ensuring and verifying the quality of the radiographs produced
What is quality audit?
Process of external reassurance and assessment that quality control and assurance are satisfactory and work effectively
T/F
QA programme is mandatory
T
T/F
QA must be recorded
T
T/F
QA must be implemented by a named person?
T
What three things is the named person responsible for?
Frequency of operation should be defined
Content of supporting records should be define
Frequency of formal checking records
What are the Essential procedures within a dental radio QA programme?
Image quality Patient dose and x ray equipment darkroom image receptors processing Working procedures Training Audit
How canQA of image quality be carried out?
Monitor information daily by comparing radiograph with good quality reference film
Monitor formally every 6 ninths prospectively or retrospectively
How often should the darkroom or daylight checks be made?
Daily : to check cleanliness and film hangers cleaned
6/12 monthly: light tightness of darkroom and checks safelights/ day light hood
When are film hangers used?
Wet developing
What tests do you use to check the safelight and daylight hood?
Coin tests and filter distance from work surface
How should x ray films be stored?
Cool dry place away from direct sunlight and ionising radiation
What should you do to the film stock?
Rotate and careful handling
What do you need to check the cassettes and intensifying screens for?
Light tightness and for film screen contact
How should you care for the intensifying screens?
Clean regularly with cleaner
Which digital image receptors are there?
Phosphor plates
CCD sensors
How do you clean phosphor plates?
Visual inspection and cleaning and check for artefacts by placing a low exposure scan in the image and observe
How do you care for the CCD receptors?
Follow manufacture
How do you check for chemical solutions are functional well?
Make up as recommended by manufacture
Fill fixer tank fist and operate at correct temperature
How often should you change the chemical solutions?
Every 2 weeks and records should be kept
How can you monitor the chemical for deterioration?
Make a test tool and radiograph this at a standard setting and distance
Process in fresh solution to produce a reference film
Repeat this daily using same exposure factors
And compare each days film with the reference film and record results
Which processor checks should be performed?
Daily checks: check solutions and replenish as and when, change water in wash tank, run cleaner film each morning through, check got deterioration of chemicals
Weekly: clean rollers
Fortnightly: Change chemical, wash transport mechanisms and tank
6 monthly: check daylight loader with coin test
Annually: service machine
How can we ensure the quality assurance of working procedures?
Local rules IRR99 and Employers procedures IRMER 2000
What are the local rules?
Procedures and operational elements essentials to safe use of X-ray equipment
What do the employers procedures ensure?
QA programme followed
Written protocols for all examinations and tasks related to radiation safety
Whsy should be done re staff training for QA?
Should all be recorded Name Responsibility Date and training received Recommendation for training
What QA audits should be performed?
Justification and authorisation if x rays
Clinical evaluations of films
QA programme and associated records
What QA checks should be performed daily?
Processor checks Cleaning of daylight hood and hangers X-ray equipment Test X-ray compared to reference film Maintenance of film reject log
What QA checks should be performed every 2 weeks?
Check film and chemical stock Clean processor and rollers Clean viewing box Produce new reference film Change developer and fixer
What QA checks should be performed monthly?
Clean viewing box
Check film and chemical stocks
Check accuracy of darkroom timer and thermometer (manual processing)
Clean intending screens
What checks should be done very 3 months?
Check phosphor plates
What QA checks should be performed every 6 months?
Check safe lighting and daylight loading system within coin test
Check light tightness of cassettes
Check quality targets
Reject analysis
What QA checks should be performed annually?
Service X-ray sets and automatic processor
What QA checks should be performed every 3 years?
Radiation survey of equipment.
What is the ultimate role of QA?
Patient care
What can we use to check the quality of radiographs?
Quality rating Grade 1/2/3
How much grade one image quality should we aim for?
70%
How much grade 2 should we aim for?
Less than 20%
How much grade 3 image quality whisks weak for?
Less than 10%
What is a grade 1 film?
ExcellentNo errors of exposure processing or positioning
What is a grade 2 film?
Diagnostically acceptableSome errors but still diagnostic
What is a grade 3 film?
Unacceptable Errors which make the film unacceptable
Where should we record grade 3 films? And what should be recorded
Film reject log Date, nature of film fault, cause and corrective action, number of repeats Calculate total number of grade 3 films percentage
Which can films always need to be retaken?
Grade 3If you did not retake it then why did you take it in the first place?
How can we quality assure equipment and patient doz0se?
Daily equipment checks
What daily equipment checks should be performed?
Warning signal visible and audible on exposure and goes off when button releasedMake sure counterbalance is working and tube remains in correct position
What should happen to the equipment upon installation?
Critical examination by the installer and must perform an acceptance test before the equipment is used clinically to establish a baseline performance
Who is responsible to ensure the acceptance test is carried to?
The legal person
What should be included on the equipment acceptance test?
Patient doses should be tested
At what time interval must routine equipment tests not exceed? And what must the include?
3 years DRL
Who is responsible for ensuring routine tests are carried out?
Legal person
When are annual tests recommended?
Assessed patient dose exceeds DRLImage quality analysis fails to meet targets QA programme identifies a problem
What should be obtained if the equipment has been relocated, repaired or modified?
Re examination report
What log for the equipment must be kept?
Equipment log
What must be in the equipment log?
Inventory of each tine according to IRMER 200-Name of manufacturer and model no-Serial number-Year of installation and manufacture Installers written formal reports-checks made-action taken Equipment check in chronological orderDetail of routine or any special maintenance
What is a photon equivalent to?
A quantum of energy
How much does the step up transformer step to?
From 240kv to 70000kv
How much does the step down transformer step to?
240kv to 810v
