2017 - ACR

1 2017 Computed TomographyRadiologist s SectionRadiologic Technologist s SectionQualified Medical Physicist s SectionQUALITY CONTROL MANUALQUALITY CONTROL MANUALR adiologist s SectionRadiologic Technologist s SectionQualified Medical Physicist s SectionChad Dillon, MSWilliam Breeden III, MSJessica Clements, MSDiana Cody, PhDDustin Gress, MSKalpana Kanal, PhDJames Kofler, PhDMichael F. McNitt-Gray, PhDJames Norweck, MSDoug Pfeiffer, MSThomas G. Ruckdeschel, MSKeith J. Strauss, MS, FACRJ ames Tomlinson, MSCynthia Davidson, ACR Staff MemberDina Hernandez, ACR Staff Member Copyright 2017, American College of Radiology.

2 All rights reserved. 2017 Computed TomographyContentsCT quality Control Manual 3 ContentsPurpose and Scope 4 Radiologist s sectionRevisions 7 Introduction 8 Definition of quality Assurance 10 Definition

3 Of Equipment quality Control 11 Radiologist s Responsibilities 12 Qualified Medical Physicist (QMP) Responsibilities 16CT QC Technologist s Responsibilities 18 Conclusion 20 References 21 Radiologic technologist s sectionRevisions

4 24 Introduction 25 Important Points 27 Technologist s Daily CT quality Control 32 Technologist s Weekly quality Control 39 Technologist s Monthly quality Control 43 References 49 Appendix 50 Qualified Medical Physicist s sectionRevisions 53 Introduction 54 Qualified Medical Physicist s Annual

5 quality Control 56 References 84 Appendix 86 PuRPose and sCoPeCT quality Control Manual 4 This manual is designed to help guide facilities in establishing and maintaining an effective CT quality control program. All facilities must recognize the importance of a quality control program in producing diagnostic quality images at the lowest appropriate tests in this manual are not intended to ensure that a scanner meets manufacturer s specifications at the initial installation.

6 Such testing is covered by acceptance testing and is beyond the scope of this document. Instead, this manual provides a minimum set of tests required to ensure that a scanner performs in a consistent manner and yields acceptable a scanner fails any of the tests specified within this manual, or if performance degradation is observed, the facility should further investigate to determine the cause of the failure or degradation, which may involve testing according to manufacturers procedures. If the scanner does not meet the manufacturers specifications, then the service engineer should be consulted to determine if a service visit is of the quality of the image, if the diagnostic workstation is of poor quality , then a poor diagnostic result may occur.

7 The ubiquity of workstations and the breadth of devices used for image interpretation add great complexity to establishing a quality control program for these devices. While photometric evaluation of workstations is vital, establishment of an appropriate quality control program for diagnostic workstations is beyond the scope of this document. Each facility should work with its workstation manufacturer(s) and its medical physicist to establish an appropriate and effective quality control program for the diagnostic workstations under their and scopePuRPose and sCoPeCT quality Control Manual 5 Radiologist s Section 2017 Computed TomographyRadiologist s SectionQUALITY CONTROL MANUALC ontentsCT quality Control Manual 6 ContentsRevisions 7 Introduction 8

8 Definition of quality Assurance 10 Definition of Equipment quality Control 11 Radiologist s Responsibilities 12 Qualified Medical Physicist (QMP) Responsibilities 16CT QC Technologist s Responsibilities 18 Conclusion 20 References 21 RevisionsCT quality Control Manual 7datePage(s)

9 Description of Revisions10-1-1712 Described responsibilities of a CT protocol review and management team10-1-1716-17 Clarified qualified medical physicist responsibilitiesRevisionsReturn to TOCintRoduCtionCT quality Control Manual 8 Computed tomography (CT) is a widely used imaging method. However, there may be significant variability in the quality of CT imaging performed at different sites. Achieving the full potential of CT requires careful attention to quality assurance (QA), both in regard to equipment performance as well as the execution of imaging studies.

10 In response to the concerns of referring physicians and those organizations reimbursing for the costs of performing CT, the American College of Radiology (ACR) has initiated a voluntary CT accreditation program. This program has followed the approach of previous ACR accreditation programs, which have established practices and standards for quality control (QC). Past events related to excessive CT dose that have been reported in the lay media point to the critical need for ongoing QC and careful attention to dose and image quality .