[Applications of the quality control program in diagnostic radiology. Confirmation of results, clinical and managerial benefits].
The Health Physics Department developed and implemented a QA program to test the X-ray equipment in Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy. The program was aimed at achieving "total quality" in diagnostic radiology. To this purpose, suggestions were taken from: the code of practice of the leading international committees; our personal experience over several years in measuring and evaluating radiologic equipment and finally data relative to the maintenance procedures for radiologic equipment. The Integrated Quality Assurance Program (IQAP) manages two different quality control sub-procedures: the first one (QF) monitors equipment performance with a view to providing more pieces of diagnostic information and to reducing both patient and staff dose; the other one (QG) plans maintenance service to reduce running costs. QF included: i) practical tests for X-ray equipment; ii) analysis, interpretation and comparison of results; iii) tolerance limits. QG provided information on: i) inventory; ii) user-service relationship; iii) suitability of any corrective actions. The data relative to the last four years are reported in the text. The regular and correct use of this integrated protocol is very useful to monitor the factors affecting image quality and to improve diagnostic radiology. Finally, the protocol allowed us to plan our "yearly maintenance contracts" better and to save money on running costs.
Bergamini
C
C
Servizio di Fisica Sanitaria, Ospedale Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna.
Berardi
P
P
Pierotti
L
L
Vianello Vos
C
C
Pavlica
P
P
D015397:Program Evaluation; D011786:Quality Control; D011871:Radiology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*
Applicazione del programma di controllo della qualità nella radiologia diagnostica. Verifica dei risultati, ricadute cliniche e gestionali.