Review of acceptability criteria for X ray systems relevant for digital radiology.
The Medical Exposure Directive (97/43/EURATOM) states that competent authorities shall adopt specific criteria of acceptability for equipment in order to indicate when remedial action is necessary. To assist the competent authorities of the European Union Member states, the EC has prepared a document on criteria of acceptability for radiological (including radiotherapy) and nuclear medicine installations. The purpose of the document was to specify minimum standards of performance. Specific criteria for digital equipment are not given in the EC document. In the guidelines for quality control of equipment used in diagnostic radiology in the Netherlands limiting values as well as measurement methods are included. However, guidelines specific for digital imaging equipment are lacking. At present, Report 77 of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine is the most comprehensive document within Europe for quality control of diagnostic X ray imaging systems. It covers digital fluoroscopy systems and includes or refers to test methods. It contains test frequencies, levels of expertise required, priority of tests and remedial and suspension levels. In the present contribution the available criteria of acceptability for equipment relevant for digital radiology are summarised.
Zoetelief
J
J
Interfaculty Reactor Institute, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft, The Netherlands. j.zoetelief@iri.tudelft.nl
D005062:European Union; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D011786:Quality Control; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*; D011859:Radiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000592:standards