Every ultrasound specialty. One professional network.
QC program
We are establishing a QC program preparing our lab for accreditation. Does each probe need to be checked once a month? I am curious to know what other labs are doing in their QC program. Please comment or make suggestions.
Views: 39
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Paula Woletz on -
Is this for ICAVL, ICAEL, ACR, or AIUM accreditation?
For AIUM, the following is recommended:
Daily: Check transducer cables for damage, check transducer housing and transmitting surface for cracks, separations, and discolorations, examine images for vertical shadows and streaks caused by dead elements.
Annually (at least): Check transducer uniformity, maximum depth of visualization for each frequency setting, target detection, and distance measurement accuracy.
Hope this helps!
Paula -
-
Permalink Reply by geri clausen on -
Paula, thank u for your comment. Regardless of which accreditation, isn't there a standard? We are using a Gammex phantom and image documentation stored into PACS as well a QC log book to check each probe monthly. Some others in my ultrasound community are checking one probe a month in their QC program. I have read ACR's accreditation guidelines, and it seems vague to me-just as long as a QC program is in place and the probes are checked regularly. I have not read any of the other accreditating guidelines.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Paula Woletz on
-
I don't know of any universal standard. Some manufacturers claim that certain ultrasound machines don't need ANY routine evaluation/calibration, although AIUM-accredited practices must still meet the requirements regardless of what the vendors say.
-
© 2012 Created by AIUM.
