Intro

Question 1

what is QA

Answer 1

• QUALITY ASSURANCE
• programme for systematic monitoring and evaluation of various aspects of a service, project
• aims that standards are being met

Question 2

what is QC

Answer 2

• QUALITY CONTROL
• aims to maintain or improve quality
• monitoring, evaluation and maintenance at required levels of performance

Question 3

main difference between QA and QC

Answer 3

• QA - equipment tested to improve or standardise
• QC - equipment tested to identify and correct defects

Question 4

the generic aim of QA

Answer 4

• reduce radiation exposure to staff and users
• contain costs
• improve medical imaging

Question 5

areas to consider for QA

Answer 5

• radiographic equipment
• workstations
• reject analysis
• patient dose monitoring
• PACS

Question 6

why is QA important

Answer 6

• identify equipment deterioration
• used to achieve ALARP
• ensures service user and staff safety
• legal compliance

Question 7

the team according to IR(ME)R (2017)

Answer 7

• radiographer
• medical physics expert (MPE)
• employer

Question 8

QA duties of the employer according to IR(ME)R 2017

Answer 8

• ensure QA programmes are in place and being followed
• ensure every operator is adequately trained and engaged to carry out QA
• ensure MPE appointed

Question 9

QA duties of the operator IRMER

Answer 9

• ensure that dose of ionising radiation is ALARP
• consistent with intended diagnostic purpose

Question 10

the team with IRR (2017)

Answer 10

• radiographer
• employer
• NO MPE

Question 11

QA duties of the employer according to IRR

Answer 11

• establish and implement QA policies + procedures
• provide adequate training and competency programs
• regular audits and inspections
• maintain records and documentation
• routine testing

Question 12

what does QA and hCPC require us to do

Answer 12

• be able to practice within legal and ethical boundaries
• be able to practise as an autonomous professional exercising their own professional judgement
• communicate and work well with others
• maintain records
• assure quality of practise
• understand key concepts
• draw on appropriate knowledge and skills

Question 13

aims of operational framework for QA

Answer 13

• maintain radiation doses to a minimum level
• consistent image quality
• ensure equipment kept to standard
• keep retake rate ALARP
• reduce servicer user dose

Question 14

what does the QA committee do

Answer 14

• manage and direct programme
• decides what needs to be done
• co-ordinates QA procedures and data collection
• reviews and evaluates data
• considers relevance of data
• decides actions in light of data

Question 15

tests need to ;

Answer 15

produce quantitative data and actively encourage staff participation
- QA does not just cover equipment

Question 16

the 5 levels of testing for QA

Answer 16

1. acceptance testing - mpe
2. rigorous evaluation - mpe
3. external audit - advisory boards
4. constancy checks - routine tests
5. write off - mpe

Question 17

two types of action levels

Answer 17

• remedial action
• suspension

Question 18

remedial level

Answer 18

• level of performance at which remedial action needs to be initiated
• action will be based on formal assessment of equipments performance and risk of continued use

Question 19

after the assessment and remedial level is reached

Answer 19

agreement should be reached on reasonable timescale for corrective action to be taken

Question 20

suspension level

Answer 20

a level of performance at which it is recommended that equipment should be removed from clinical use
- equipment should be taken out immediately until correction