Aims and objectives
The aim of this study was to assess if the image quality from head CT examinations meets the quality criteria previously established in a radiology department.
The specific objectives were to identify the presence of conformities and nonconformities in the head CT images,
to understand the causes of the existence of nonconformities and to suggest corrective actions that may be implemented to reduce the incidence of noncompliance examinations.
Methods and materials
A retrospective study was conducted in a public radiology department using a random sample of 360 head CT examinations grouped in 12 smaller samples,
each one with 30 exams.
Using a quality criteria checklist organized into four main groups (table 1),
the conformities and non-conformities found were recorded and used to establish three types of quality control charts:
(1) the proportion of conformities and nonconformities (p chart);
(2) the total number of nonconformity exams (np chart);
(3) the total number of nonconformities in each sample...
Results
The p Control Chart (fig.1) illustrates the percentage of noncompliant head CT studies and the following values were obtained for the central limit (CL),
upper limit control (ULC) and lower limit control (LLC): 60.83%,
87 57% and 34.09%.
It was found that there were no statistical control samples out of the control limits,
so it were estimated the warning limits,
according to standard ISO 8258:1991,
to study the tendency of the distribution of samples: 1 δ (69,74%),
2 δ (78,65%),
-1 δ (51,92%) e -2...
Conclusion
The existence of suitable quality control of the image is essential to achieve high quality standards.
Strategies for improving radiographers performance must be implemented to ensure that head CT examinations are performed in compliance with all the quality criteria established.
Therefore,
it is essential to implement a checklist for a systematic evaluation based in a quality control program.
Personal information
Joana Pereira (BSc),
Collaborator in the Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department,
Health School - University of Algarve,
Portugal.
Anabela Magalhães Ribeiro (MSc),
Professor in the Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department,
Health School - University of Algarve,
Portugal.
Radiographer coordinator in Centro Hospitalar do Algarve - Portimão,
Portugal.
Researcher in CICS.NOVA (Universidade Nova de Lisboa - Pólo de Évora) and Member of the Studies Center in Healthcare (CES-ESSUALG).
Luís Ribeiro (PhD),
Professor in the Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department,
Health School - University of Algarve,
Portugal....
References
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S.,
Ribeiro,
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Abrantes,
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Pinheiro,
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Image Quality Control in Digital Radiology.
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