QA Intervals

Question 1

In screen-film mammography QA, how often should the phantom image be checked?

Answer 1

MQSA says to use an FDA-approved phantom each week.

Question 2

For accredited scanners as weekly QA control performed by MR technologists, the ACR requires what?

How about annually, and by who?

Answer 2

• For accredited scanners as weekly quality control performed by MR technologists the ACR requires: Center frequency, table positioning, setup and scanning, geometric accuracy, high contrast resolution, low contrast resolution, artifact analysis, film quality control, and a visual checklist.
• For accredited scanners as annual quality control performed by a medical physicist or MR scientist the ACR requires: Magnetic field homogeneity, slice position accuracy, slice thickness accuracy, radiofrequency coil checks, and softcopy displays (monitors).

Question 3

For initial qualification, a resident must have interpreted at least how many mammographic examinations under direct supervision in any 6-month period immediately prior to the date that the physician qualifies as an interpreting physician?

Answer 3

According to the MQSA, the interpreting physician should have interpreted or multiread a minimum of 240 mammographic examinations within the 6-month period immediately prior to the date that the physician qualifies as an interpreting physician. This interpretation or multireading should be under the direct supervision of a qualified, interpreting physician.

Question 4

How often should a Geiger-Mueller counter be calibrated?

Answer 4

Annually

Question 5

For how many years must calibration records of dose calibrators be kept?

Answer 5

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) states that a record of calibrations of instruments used to measure the activity of unsealed by-product material must be kept for 3 years. The records must include the model and serial number of the instrument, the date of the calibration, the results of the calibration, and the name of the individual who performed the calibration.

Question 6

How frequently must a radiation survey be performed in the nuclear medicine department waste storage?

Answer 6

Weekly

Question 7

How often do areas that have been used for I-131 therapy need surveying?

Answer 7

Daily