title: Variation in CR imaging plate readers.
abstract: This study investigated computed radiography (CR) image processing to determine whether variation exists within and among CR imaging plate readers. Photostimulable imaging plates were exposed using a phantom test tool and processed in 4 CR readers located in diverse settings in an urban academic medical center. Research results indicate daily variation of S-numbers within individual CR readers did not exceed tolerance limits, although over the 3-week study period, evidence of S-number variation within individual CR readers was mixed. In addition, S-number variability among multiple CR readers was found to be statistically significant. Although the cause of the variability remains unknown, evidence of variability among multiple CR readers indicates a need for systematic quality control.
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D015588:Observer Variation; D010380:Peer Review; D011786:Quality Control; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000592:standards*; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*