What is a quality assurance test?
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GP Singh Shekhawat
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The quality assurance programme is a set of tests conducted on the X-ray-based diagnostic equipment to verify if the output radiation and leakage is within the specified tolerance limits to get optimum performance of equipment and consistent image quality. The quality assurance test is also required to comply with the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
Importance of quality assurance test
The quality assurance test is very important for the hospital administrators, radiology department and bio-medical department. The quality assurance test verifies the output of any X-ray based diagnostic equipment. It also improves the efficiency of the radiology department as the properly calibrated equipment will give consistent output and reduce the number of retakes and waste films. It helps in controlling the maintenance cost of the equipment.
Regular quality assurance helps to take optimum output from the equipment, that way one can know if the machine is giving the output as selected by the operator. If the output is outside the specified limits, service intervention is required to take the optimum performance from the equipment. This also helps in obtaining the optimum image quality. It also checks whether the leakage is within the permissible limit, which improves the safety for both operator and patients as we all know that the X-ray radiation is very harmful and has severe biological effects of the same on human body. Quality assurance test is also required for compliance with AERB and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH).
Equipment applicable for quality assurance test
All X-ray based radiation generating equipment used for diagnostic applications is applicable for quality assurance test. It includes all type of X-ray machines (fixed, mobile, dental, fluoroscopy, IITV, C-ARM), CT scanners, cathlab, ortho pantomograph graph, DEXA-based bone mineral densitometers, mammography etc.
How QA services are performed?
Quality Assurance services are performed by qualified & trained engineers. The basic qualification is an engineering degree/diploma with successful completion of Radiation Safety & Quality Assurance in Diagnostic Radiology (RSQADR) Course which is conduction by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai. A number of QA tools (dose meter, survey meter, beam alignment test tool, focal spot test tool) and dedicated phantoms for mammography and CT scanners are required to perform the QA test. These testing instruments need regular calibration. During the test the KV, dose, dose rate, HVL, total filtration, exposure time, leakage etc are checked.) The presence of service engineer from the modality supplier is also desired to calibrate the equipment if QA test is not satisfactory.
AERB regulatory requirements
AERB is the premier government body responsible for controlling all kind of ionising radiation in India. AERB has issued the following guidelines for diagnostic radiology:
Quality assurance test report is required to be submitted with application to obtain:
- Licence for CT scanner and cathlab.
- Registration for all other X-ray based equipment
The quality assurance test needs to be performed every two years after the grant of licence/ registration.
Horizon Meditech
Horizon Meditech is a leading quality assurance service provider in North India. The QA test by the company is performed with the most modern QA instruments and phantoms by qualified and BARC trained engineers. Horizon QA test helps the hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres to obtain AERB approval for licence/registration and keep their equipment in order. Horizon also provides consultancy for obtaining TLD badges and setting up a radiology facility apart from offering radiation safety training.
Contact Details:
Tel: (011) 4161 2370
Mob: 8800 899361
Email: [email protected]
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