Quality Assurance Flashcards
What are the aims of quality assurance
Produce diagnostic radiographs of consistently high standards
Reduce the number of repeats
Determine all sources of error to allow their correction
Increase efficiency
Reduce cost
Keep dose as low as reasonably practicable
what errors can their be in radiographs?
- Preparation errors
- Positioning errors
- Exposure factors
- Processing
What things can be audited?
The National Radiological Protection Board’s Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-Ray Equipment document states that essential procedures tested within a quality assurance (QA) programme should include..?
Image quality;
Patient doses and x-ray equipment;
Darkroom, films and processing;
Training;
Audits
How long should intervals be between quality assurance tests?
The higher the radiographic workload, the shorter the frequency between testing.
The tests are undertaken at different time intervals. The recommended frequency for each test is given as a range, eg
1-3 months. This is related to the clinical workload.
The Ionizing Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99)
stipulate that overall responsibility for quality assurance testing falls upon the..?
Employer.
The radiation protection
supervisor (RPS) is a suitably trained member of staff
appointed by the employer who helps to ensure compliance
with IRR and the local rules
How should PSPs be treated to preserve the condition of them?
Each PSP ideally should have a marker on it so it can be
identified if there are faults
PSPs should be stored in a dust-free environment.
PSPs should be visually checked for scratches and dust
particles.
The IPEM recommend the condition of the PSPs is
checked monthly
The receiving tray (if applicable) of the PSP reader should
be wiped and cleaned on a daily basis.
On a monthly basis (or earlier if visible scratches are seen
on the surface of the PSP), the PSP should be exposed to see if there are significant scratches.
