QA Radiology

Question 1

Define QA

Answer 1

Any planned and systematic actions necessary to provide

confidence that a sys will perform satisfactorily and safely complying with agreed standards.

Question 2

Define QC

Answer 2

The set of operations intended to maintain or improve quality and includes monitoring, evaluation and maintenance

Question 3

Legal requirements for QA

Answer 3

IRMER17 Reg 32 ádequate testing of performance’
IRMER17 Reg 4 ‘regular review of procedure to ensure they are effective’
NHS values: commitment to quality of care

Question 4

Equipment life cycle

Answer 4

Specification
Tender
Purchase
Installation
Critical exam
Acceptance
Commissioning
Clinical use
Maintenance and routine testing ^
Diposal
Replacement

Question 5

What is a critical exam?

Answer 5

Tests which ensures safety features and warning devices operate correctly

RPA must be involved

Question 6

What is acceptance testing?

Answer 6

A verification process to by a customer representative to ensure that the contractor has supplied the equipment specified.

Simple check lists a and verification tests

Review mechanical/electrical/ rad safety

Question 7

What are commissioning tests?

Answer 7

Set of tests performed by a customer representative to ensure equipment is ready for clinical use.

Carried out prior to clinical use, can aid optimisation by obtaining baseline test scores.

Question 8

What is routine testing?

Answer 8

Regular testing throughout the equipment’s lifetime to monitor performance and ID changes

Subset of commissioning tests

Include action plans for when failure occurs

Question 9

What are maintenance tests?

Answer 9

Engineers tests which compliment routine QA.

Include considerations following mod/ reinstall and repair

Question 10

What is level B and level A QA?

Answer 10

Level B: medical physics led quantitive tests, recc engineer response or actions as required

Level A: Radiographer QA, looking for changes in performance. Sensitive ut most specific. No formal report. Follow action plan if an issue arises.

Question 11

Routine QA guidance From report 91

Answer 11

• Parameters to test
• level of expertise req
• Frequency
• Priority
• Action levels
• Explanatory paragraphs

suggestions

• appoint QA radiographer
• allocate testing time
• document all tes results
• make sure test equipment is available to staff and within calibration

Question 12

What are the 2 types of action level?

Answer 12

Remedial: Issue present but use may continue

Suspension level: error present, halt equipment use

Use documented action plans to take responsibility from front line tester

Question 13

Other report covering QA

Answer 13

Report 32 - Modality specific
107 - Critical exam
89 - Mammo

Question 14

What is retake analysis ?

Answer 14

Review of failed patient images where a retake was required, can identify procedural and QA issues.

Question 15

What are the patient dose measures for each modality?

Answer 15

Standard radiography: individual radiograph: ESD or DAP
Complete session: DAP

Mammo: MGD (mean glandular dose) to standard breast >2.5mGy per film and MGD to patient > 3.5mGy per film

Dental: IO dose at collimator tio or OPG dose

Fluoro: Dose at ES of phantom > 50mGy/min
DAP