Several International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) radiology initiatives focus on quality control, quality assurance, radiation exposure assessment, radiation safety, radiation protection of patients, clinical applications and appropriate uses [1]. The increasing complexity of radiology has necessitated more structured reviews of clinical practices. To assist its Member States (MS), the IAEA developed and published a methodology for comprehensive hospital audits in order to assess the whole process, starting from organization, infrastructure, professional competencies and clinical and medical physics components. The methodology is described analytically in the...

Clinical audit involves evaluation of data, documents and resources to check performance against standards. It is essentially a process of fact finding and interpretation and, as such, provides an efficient tool for improvement of quality (Figure 1). The QUAADRIL audit evaluates elements of diagnostic radiology practice related to staff, equipment, infrastructure, procedures, safety, overall facility performance, through comprehensive checklists and guidance on best practices (Figure 2). QUAADRIL refers to various applications of ionizing radiation in diagnostic radiology services, whether in public facilities or in private...

QUAADRIL audits have taken place in 7 institutions in 7 countries from 2010 till today: two (2) in Europe (Bosnia & Herzegovina and Belgium), 4 in Asia (Israel, Thailand, Malaysia and United Arab Emirates) and 1 in Latin America (Argentina) (Figure 3). Coordinated by the IAEA, the audits provided recommendations to each institution to improve their practices. There were extensive reports given to each institution which obviously cannot be described in detail due to confidentiality issues. However, there were certain findings that are considered important...

QUAADRIL has proven effective in improving quality in individual radiology departments. It could also be used by Member States to develop national auditing processes, by adapting tenets of QUAADRIL to local contexts. Audits have been limited to few countries in Europe, Asia and just one country in Latin America. Expansion is warranted. The IAEA plans to promote the QUAADRIL audit tool in the immediate future and expand the audits to Africa, as well as more countries in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

Delis H, Christaki K, Healy B, Loreti G, Poli GL, Toroi P, Meghzifene A. Moving beyond quality control in diagnostic radiology and the role of the clinically qualified medical physicist. Phys Med. 2017 Sep;41: 104-108. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2017.04.007. International Atomic Energy Agency, Comprehensive Clinical Audits of Diagnostic Radiology Practices: A Tool for Quality Improvement, Human Health Series No. 4, IAEA, Vienna (2010).

V. Tsapaki: Nothing to disclose M. Mikhail: Nothing to disclose O. PELLET: Nothing to disclose D. I. Paez: Nothing to disclose H. Delis: Nothing to disclose