Keywords:
Radiation physics, Radioprotection / Radiation dose, Computer applications, Digital radiography, Mammography, Physics, Radiation safety, Equipment, Quality assurance
Authors:
P. Mora1, H. Bosmans2, D. Pfeiffer3, G. Zhang2, M. Arreola4, H. Delis5; 1San Jose/CR, 2Leuven/BE, 3Boulder, CO/US, 4Gainesville, FL/US, 5Vienna/AT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-0144
Conclusion
The aim of the IAEA publication,
described in this paper,
is to provide tools and a framework for performing quality control of radiographic and mammographic imaging systems with remote and automated tools.
The methods described can facilitate frequent constancy testing without the need of on-site supervision of a CQMP; instead,
the QCMP can be involved in the remote supervision of several sites. The tools provided for performing these tests and the proposed methodologies are not intended to replace the need of a CQMP to perform annual comprehensive performance evaluations of the radiographic systems.
They can,
however,
detect deficiencies in system performance before they become clinically significant.
Furthermore,
frequent quality control testing promotes a culture of quality in imaging.
This paper summarizes current work done at the IAEA to propose a methodology,
based on simple and inexpensive test objects and modern methodologies exploiting the advantages of computer networking.
These methods can facilitate remote QC applications.
In the long run,
this approach can promote collection of data in a uniform,
harmonized manner allowing for intercomparison and benchmarking.
Since this document deals primarily with remote and automated QC,
a potential disadvantage could the misperception that QC compliance is guaranteed from this remote action.
On the contrary,
however,
remote QC should trigger also local actions to detect problems and have them corrected.