INTRODUCTION TO QUALITY CONTROL ,QA AND QAC
TEST 1
What is quality assurance (QA)? - Answers - a program that is used by management to
maintain optimal diagnostic image quality, and has minimum hazards/distress to
patients
What is Quality Control (QC)? - Answers - Consists of a series of standardized tests that
detect changes in the x-ray equipment from normal function/performance
What is included in the quality assurance program? - Answers - Periodic quality control
tests, maintenance procedures, administrative methods and training
as well as continuous assessment of the quality of the imaging service and corrective
action to be performed
What are the consequences of NOT having a QA program? - Answers - -inaccurate
diagnosis
-delayed treatment
-unnecessary dose
-repeat exposures
-more cost
What are some of the costs of having a QA program? - Answers - -staff will be required
to perform new duties
-testing equipment will need to be bought
-the equipment will be used for these tests (generates test images)
-some hospitals may contract external organizations to do their testing ($$$)
Who has the ultimate responsibility of quality control testing? - Answers - Physician or
Radiation Safety Officer in charge of the x-ray facility
Is the regulatory agency responsible for QC testing? - Answers - No
What is the Quality Assurance Committee? - Answers - The formal committee that is
established by the radiology department in order to plan, evaluate and resolve quality
assurance issues
They can also provide management with recommendations for direction towards buying
and repairing
What is the goal of the QA program? - Answers - To ensure accurate and timely
diagnosis and treatment of patients while maintaining ALARA
What are the 3 objectives of the QA program? - Answers - -maintain quality of images
, -to minimize the radiation exposure to patient and staff
-to be cost effective
What will keep the success of the QA program? - Answers - That the equipment is
working properly, and that staff are engaged and active within the program
What are the benefits of the QA program? - Answers - -decrease repeats
-increased image quality
-less downtime
-earlier recognition of equipment issues
What does a quality assurance program include? - Answers - -quality control
procedures for monitoring and testing equipment
-administrative methods to ensure testing, evaluation and corrective actions are being
performed
Who is involved with the QAC? - Answers - Representatives from all levels of the
radiology department
-radiologist
-x-ray tech
-radiation officer
-patient representative
What should the QAC do? - Answers - -formulate the standards of image quality
-regularly review the effectiveness of the program
-review effectiveness of maintenance and monitoring techniques
-review standards of image quality
It will also promote the importance of participation in the QA's program
What should the documented strategy plan of the QAC be? - Answers - It should have
outlines of program and polices that are specific to the duties and responsibilities that
are to be done by the staff
What should the QAC have? - Answers - Documented strategy with defined work plans
to achieve the goals and objectives of the department (QAC manual)
What is the QA Manual? - Answers - The manual that is developed by staff that is easily
referenced and able for future revision
What are the administrative procedures for the QA program? - Answers - -tests are
performed regularly and correctly
-the results evaluated promptly and accurately
-the necessary corrective actions
TEST 1
What is quality assurance (QA)? - Answers - a program that is used by management to
maintain optimal diagnostic image quality, and has minimum hazards/distress to
patients
What is Quality Control (QC)? - Answers - Consists of a series of standardized tests that
detect changes in the x-ray equipment from normal function/performance
What is included in the quality assurance program? - Answers - Periodic quality control
tests, maintenance procedures, administrative methods and training
as well as continuous assessment of the quality of the imaging service and corrective
action to be performed
What are the consequences of NOT having a QA program? - Answers - -inaccurate
diagnosis
-delayed treatment
-unnecessary dose
-repeat exposures
-more cost
What are some of the costs of having a QA program? - Answers - -staff will be required
to perform new duties
-testing equipment will need to be bought
-the equipment will be used for these tests (generates test images)
-some hospitals may contract external organizations to do their testing ($$$)
Who has the ultimate responsibility of quality control testing? - Answers - Physician or
Radiation Safety Officer in charge of the x-ray facility
Is the regulatory agency responsible for QC testing? - Answers - No
What is the Quality Assurance Committee? - Answers - The formal committee that is
established by the radiology department in order to plan, evaluate and resolve quality
assurance issues
They can also provide management with recommendations for direction towards buying
and repairing
What is the goal of the QA program? - Answers - To ensure accurate and timely
diagnosis and treatment of patients while maintaining ALARA
What are the 3 objectives of the QA program? - Answers - -maintain quality of images
, -to minimize the radiation exposure to patient and staff
-to be cost effective
What will keep the success of the QA program? - Answers - That the equipment is
working properly, and that staff are engaged and active within the program
What are the benefits of the QA program? - Answers - -decrease repeats
-increased image quality
-less downtime
-earlier recognition of equipment issues
What does a quality assurance program include? - Answers - -quality control
procedures for monitoring and testing equipment
-administrative methods to ensure testing, evaluation and corrective actions are being
performed
Who is involved with the QAC? - Answers - Representatives from all levels of the
radiology department
-radiologist
-x-ray tech
-radiation officer
-patient representative
What should the QAC do? - Answers - -formulate the standards of image quality
-regularly review the effectiveness of the program
-review effectiveness of maintenance and monitoring techniques
-review standards of image quality
It will also promote the importance of participation in the QA's program
What should the documented strategy plan of the QAC be? - Answers - It should have
outlines of program and polices that are specific to the duties and responsibilities that
are to be done by the staff
What should the QAC have? - Answers - Documented strategy with defined work plans
to achieve the goals and objectives of the department (QAC manual)
What is the QA Manual? - Answers - The manual that is developed by staff that is easily
referenced and able for future revision
What are the administrative procedures for the QA program? - Answers - -tests are
performed regularly and correctly
-the results evaluated promptly and accurately
-the necessary corrective actions
