Quality assurance and Quality control in medical radiography Topic 2

Objectives Departmental standards for radiographic image quality QA/QC group establishment Quality Management Objectives

Diagnostic procedure chain The fig. demonstrates the diagnostic procedure chain showing the apparatus such as, x-ray machine, grid, film processor, and the light screen/view box. After performing this diagnostic procedure, the diagnosis/finding is given only after interpretation by a physician. Diagnostic procedure chain

“Quality assurance as applied to medical radiography is the organized effort of the staff to ensure that the diagnostic images produced are of high quality. Its purpose is to provide adequate diagnostic information with the least possible cost and the least possible radiation exposure to the patient and staff”

“Quality assurance as applied to medical radiography is the organized effort of the staff to ensure that the diagnostic images produced are of high quality. Its purpose is to provide adequate diagnostic information with the least possible cost and the least possible radiation exposure to the patient and staff”

“Quality assurance as applied to medical radiography is the organized effort of the staff to ensure that the diagnostic images produced are of high quality. Its purpose is to provide adequate diagnostic information with the least possible cost and the least possible radiation exposure to the patient and staff”

“Quality assurance as applied to medical radiography is the organized effort of the staff to ensure that the diagnostic images produced are of high quality. Its purpose is to provide adequate diagnostic information with the least possible cost and the least possible radiation exposure to the patient and staff”

“Quality assurance as applied to medical radiography is the organized effort of the staff to ensure that the diagnostic images produced are of high quality. Its purpose is to provide adequate diagnostic information with the least possible cost and the least possible radiation exposure to the patient and staff”

Requirements of a QA/QC program It requires the combined efforts of the whole radiology staff. A hospital qa/qc committee and a qa/qc team must be created to institutionalize the program. Requirements of a QA/QC program

Hospital chief radiologist- head of the x-ray section/department Chief x-ray/radiologic technologist Hospital physicist Other radiologists and radiology resident physicians Other x-ray/radiologic technologist Hospital QA/QC team

Hospital QA/QC committee Chief of hospital Administrative officer Chief radiologist Chief x-ray/radiologic technologist Chief physicist Hospital maintenance engineer/technician Others Hospital QA/QC committee

Responsibilities of these groups are as follows:

Do periodic film analysis and monthly film analysis report to the QA/QC committee Establish additional radiographic technique charts when needed, or revise existing technique charts when appropriate. Establish additional darkroom processing charts or revise existing ones when necessary Hospital QA/QC team

Do periodic quality control test of x-ray equipment, accessories, and darkroom equipment and accessories Keep a room logbook which contains all the test data on equipment, accessories and all the changes/repairs done to all equipment/accessories in the room, sample images, procedures for QC tests, etc. Keep all brochures and technical manuals pertaining to equipment and accessories.

Hospital QA/QC committee Meet regularly to discuss film analysis report, QC test results, other reports and problems of the x-ray department/section. Decide on corrective action to be implemented and on other matters related to the program Keep a record of minutes of meetings. The creation of these groups within the hospital should be formalized with the issuance of a hospital order signed by the hospital chief. Hospital QA/QC committee

In medical radiography In planning and establishing a QA/QC program the following should be considered In medical radiography

Commitment and support of radiology personnel to sustain the program Establishment of standards of image quality Conduct of film analysis every month Establishment of standard darkroom techniques and conduct darkroom QC checks

Conduct of preventive maintenance and quality control checks Establishment of standard protocols in performing different examination Establishment of a radiation safety program Conduct of continuous education and training

The purpose of A QC testing program

The purpose of a QC testing program Is to maintain the quality of diagnostic images. This is done with routine monitoring of photographic and x-ray equipment parameters to detect deviations of equipment performance and take prompt corrective action. The purpose of a QC testing program

QC test QC test equipment Equipment acceptance testing QC testing program X-ray equipment QC Photographic equipment QC QC test

Quality assurance deals with people A program of QA monitors proper patient scheduling, reception, and preparation and answers the following questions; Is the scheduled examination appropriate for the patient? If so, has the patient been properly instructed before the time of the examination? Quality assurance deals with people

QA test Equipment performance records and record keeping Equipment appraisal and replacement policy Standardization of exposure Acceptance criteria for diagnostic radiograms Reject-repeat analysis program QA test

QA also involves image interpretation or outcome analysis. Refer to TJC 10 step quality assurance program Quality control deals with instrumentation and equipment. QA also involves image interpretation or outcome analysis.

Quality control is more tangible and obvious because in this program the radiologist is provided with optimal image produced through good equipment performance and resulting in minimal patient radiation exposure.

Quality management program

Components for quality management program It should consist of at least the FF. Components: Equipment quality control Administrative responsibilities Risk management Radiation safety program Components for quality management program

Equipment quality control It involves evaluation of equipment performance to ensure proper image quality, as well as patient and operator safety. Equipment quality control

Administrative responsibilities It involves the establishment of various processes to accomplish the specific departmental task. Procedure manuals Data collections Scheduling and routing of patients Education of personnel Equipment acquisition Communication with other department Administrative responsibilities

It is the ability to identify potential risk to patients, employees and visitors at the healthcare institution. Nosocomial infections Risk management

Radiation safety program It is to ensure patient exposure is kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), medical staff, dept. Personnel, and member of the general public are protected from overexposure to ionizing radiation. Radiation safety program

Personnel protection Time Distance Shielding

Other Quality Management/ Quality Improvement Models

FADE 5 STAGE PLAN SWOT analysis FOCUS-PDCA FMEA

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