Test 1, Introduction to QC, QA and QAC
What is the Quality Assurance Committee? - The formal committee that is established by the
radiology department in order to plan, evaluate and resolve quality assurance issues
What does a quality assurance program include? - -quality control procedures for monitoring and
testing equipment
-administrative methods to ensure testing, evaluation and corrective actions are being performed
What will keep the success of the QA program? - That the equipment is working properly, and
that staff are engaged and active within the program
What is quality assurance (QA)? - a program that is used by management to maintain optimal
diagnostic image quality, and has minimum hazards/distress to patients
What is Quality Control (QC)? - Consists of a series of standardized tests that detect changes in
the x-ray equipment from normal function/performance
What is included in the quality assurance program? - Periodic quality control tests, maintenance
procedures, administrative methods and training
as well as continuous assessment of the quality of the imaging service and corrective action to be
performed
What is the goal of the QA program? - To ensure accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of
patients while maintaining ALARA
What are the 3 objectives of the QA program? - -maintain quality of images
-to minimize the radiation exposure to patient and staff
-to be cost effective
What are the benefits of the QA program? - -decrease repeats
, -increased image quality
-less downtime
-earlier recognition of equipment issues
What are the consequences of NOT having a QA program? - -inaccurate diagnosis
-delayed treatment
-unnecessary dose
-repeat exposures
-more cost
What are some of the costs of having a QA program? - -staff will be required to perform new
duties
-testing equipment will need to be bought
-the equipment will be used for these tests (generates test images)
-some hospitals may contract external organizations to do their testing ($$$)
Who has the ultimate responsibility of quality control testing? - Physician or Radiation Safety
Officer in charge of the x-ray facility
Is the regulatory agency responsible for QC testing? - No
They can also provide management with recommendations for direction towards buying and repairing
Who is involved with the QAC? - Representatives from all levels of the radiology department
-radiologist
-x-ray tech
-radiation officer
-patient representative
What is the Quality Assurance Committee? - The formal committee that is established by the
radiology department in order to plan, evaluate and resolve quality assurance issues
What does a quality assurance program include? - -quality control procedures for monitoring and
testing equipment
-administrative methods to ensure testing, evaluation and corrective actions are being performed
What will keep the success of the QA program? - That the equipment is working properly, and
that staff are engaged and active within the program
What is quality assurance (QA)? - a program that is used by management to maintain optimal
diagnostic image quality, and has minimum hazards/distress to patients
What is Quality Control (QC)? - Consists of a series of standardized tests that detect changes in
the x-ray equipment from normal function/performance
What is included in the quality assurance program? - Periodic quality control tests, maintenance
procedures, administrative methods and training
as well as continuous assessment of the quality of the imaging service and corrective action to be
performed
What is the goal of the QA program? - To ensure accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of
patients while maintaining ALARA
What are the 3 objectives of the QA program? - -maintain quality of images
-to minimize the radiation exposure to patient and staff
-to be cost effective
What are the benefits of the QA program? - -decrease repeats
, -increased image quality
-less downtime
-earlier recognition of equipment issues
What are the consequences of NOT having a QA program? - -inaccurate diagnosis
-delayed treatment
-unnecessary dose
-repeat exposures
-more cost
What are some of the costs of having a QA program? - -staff will be required to perform new
duties
-testing equipment will need to be bought
-the equipment will be used for these tests (generates test images)
-some hospitals may contract external organizations to do their testing ($$$)
Who has the ultimate responsibility of quality control testing? - Physician or Radiation Safety
Officer in charge of the x-ray facility
Is the regulatory agency responsible for QC testing? - No
They can also provide management with recommendations for direction towards buying and repairing
Who is involved with the QAC? - Representatives from all levels of the radiology department
-radiologist
-x-ray tech
-radiation officer
-patient representative
