Quality Assurance testing

Question 1

What is Quality assurance? (QA)

Answer 1

A way in which a service can be monitored and evaluated, to ensure a specified standard is being met

Question 2

what are the key concepts of QA in Diagnostic imaging?

Answer 2

radiation dose optimisation

image quality (including resolution, contrast, artefacts, reject analysis)

equipment performance

Quality of care (including waiting times, service, environment and safety)

quality of diagnosis (including diagnostic sensitivity and specificity and reporting times)

Question 3

All departments must have documentation stating….

Answer 3

What tests have to be done
How the tests should be done
How often the tests should be done
How the test results are recorded and analysed
What the acceptable margin of deviation from the standard is
What to do if the test fails

Question 4

How is QA regulated?

Answer 4

IR(ME)R 2017 
IRR 2017
CQC
RCR
Health and Safety Executive 
Institute of Physics and Engineering medicine

Question 5

Institute of Physics and Engineering medicine

(IPEM) categories

Answer 5

Divides QA into 2 categories - Levels A and B

Question 6

Institute of Physics and Engineering medicine

level A

Answer 6

Is usually carried out by radiographers

simple tests

Question 7

Action level meaning

Answer 7

• the degree of deviation
• the degree of impairment in image quality resulting from poor equipment performance
• the significance of the additional hazard
• the performance shall no result in a dose greater than intended

Question 8

remedial level

Answer 8

• Action is required but the equipment can still be used
• Tests should always be repeated to ensure there is no error in interpretation
• request engineer checks on their next visit
• instructions should be given to other staff members
• inform the QA radiographer
• equipment should be continually monitored
• record results

Question 9

suspension level

Answer 9

• equipment use should stop immediately
• record the results
• senior staff/QA should be informed
• RPA/MPE (Radiation protection advisors/Medical Physics experts) should be informed
• contact engineers to fix ASAP
• adequate signage that equipment is out of action
• repeat the test in case there has been a mistake

Question 10

When can the equipment be used after suspension level

Answer 10

• testing is needed afterwards, to ensure that the work done resolves the problem and the piece of equipment is safe to use
• the Medical Physists will carry out these test

-