IPEM Topical Report: An evidence and risk assessment based analysis of the efficacy of quality assurance tests on fluoroscopy units - part I; dosimetry and safety.

IPEM Topical Report: An evidence and risk assessment based analysis of the efficacy of quality assurance tests on fluoroscopy units - part I; dosimetry and safety.
Phys Med Biol. 2019 Aug 19;:
Authors: Worrall M, Shaw D, Baker C, Charnock P, Fazakerley J, Honey I, Iball GR, Koutalonis M, Price M, Renaud C, Rose A, Wood TJ
Abstract
This work aims to assess the efficacy of x-ray quality assurance tests undertaken on fluoroscopy units in the UK. Information was gathered on the results of dosimetry and safety tests recommended by the reports of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, and those additionally undertaken by medical physics departments. The assessment of efficacy considers the frequency with which a test result breaches the remedial level or other relevant threshold where applicable. The third quartile of those results exceeding the remedial level or threshold is used to estimate the severity of such a breach in terms of potential impact on patient dose and image quality. A risk assessment approach is then used to recommend to what degree, if any, the test should be included in an on-going test regimen.
 Data was analysed from 468 testing sessions to 336 unique fluoroscopy units throughout the UK. Across all tests, the rate with which the remedial level was exceeded varied from 0 - 29.5%, with severity ranging from little or none to major degradation to image quality or significant increase on popula...

Source: Physics in Medicine and Biology - August 18, 2019 Category: Physics Authors: Worrall M, Shaw D, Baker C, Charnock P, Fazakerley J, Honey I, Iball GR, Koutalonis M, Price M, Renaud C, Rose A, Wood TJ Tags: Phys Med Biol Source Type: research