Safety Code 35 Summary
Quality Control Procedures
Radiography/CR/DR
For more detail about each quality control procedure
select the relevant link in the tables below
Daily Quality Control Tests
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Quality Control Procedures
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Film
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CR System
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DR System
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Equipment Warm-up
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D1
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D1
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D1
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Meters Operation
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D2
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D2
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D2
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Equipment Conditions
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D3
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D3
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D3
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Darkroom Cleanliness
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D5
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Film Processor Function
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D6
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Overall Visual Assessment of Electronic Display Devices
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D7
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D7
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D7
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Normal Font – Required Tests Italics - Recommended
Abbreviations used
FS Film-Screen
CR Computed Radiography
DR Digital radiography
RS Radioscopy (Fluoroscopy and Angiography)
CT Computed Tomography
SF Spot Film or Acquisition
Radiographic QC Tests
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Quality Control Procedures
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Film
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CR
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DR
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Comments
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Weekly Quality Control Tests
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Visual Inspection of Cleanliness of Imaging Systems
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W1-FS
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W1-CR
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W1-DR
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Inspect screens/CR plates/DR housing
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Viewbox Condition
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W2
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W2
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W2
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Cleanliness, luminance
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Laser Film Printer Operation
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W3
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W3
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Print pattern such as SMPTE
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Monthly Quality Control Tests
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Cassette, Screen, and Imaging Plate Cleaning
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M1-FS
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M1-CR
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Clean screens/CR plates/DR housing
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Darkroom Temperature and Humidity Conditions
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M2
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Temp: 18-23C; Humidity 40-60%
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Darkroom Light Conditions
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M3
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Check for light tightness
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Film Processor Operation
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M4
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Temp ± 0.5C; Developer and fixer correct
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Retake Analysis
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M5
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M5
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M5
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For film, collect discards; for CR and DR use manufacturers software
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Electronic Display Device Performance
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M6
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M6
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M6
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Display pattern such as SMPTE on all image display stations
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Laser Film Printer Operation
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M7
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M7
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- Print pattern such as SMPTE
- Check for 0/5% and 95/100% patch visibility
- Optical Density of 10% to 90% patches
- No artifacts or geometrical distortion greater than 1mm
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Quarterly Quality Control Tests
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Collimator Operation
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Q1
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Q1
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Q1
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Ensure smooth operation
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Interlocks
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Q2
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Q2
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Q2
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Check function of any interlocks
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Radiographic Annual QC Tests
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Quality Control Procedures
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Film
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CR
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DR
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Comments
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Performance
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Safelight Test
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Y1
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Film/Screen Contact
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Y2
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Accuracy of Loading Factors
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Y3-RD
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Y3-RD
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Y3-RD
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mAs Linearity
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Radiation Output Reproducibility
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Y4-RD
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Y4-RD
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Y4-RD
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Reproducibility
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Radiation Output Linearity
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Y5-RD
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Y5-RD
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Y5-RD
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Output with mAs
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X-ray Beam Filtration
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Y6-RD
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Y6-RD
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Y6-RD
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HVL
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Automatic Exposure Control
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Y7-FS
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Y7-CR
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Y7-DR
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Check AEC for all kVps and thicknesses
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X-ray Field and Light Field Alignment
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Y8-9
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Y8-9
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Y8-9
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Congruency of x-ray beam and light field edges
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X-ray Beam Collimation
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Y8-9
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Y8-9
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Y8-9
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Light and X-ray field alignment
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Image Quality
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Grid Performance
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Y10
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Y10
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Y10
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Check uniformity and movement of grid
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Response Function
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Y11-CR
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Y11-DR
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Variation of mean pixel value with dose |
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Exposure Index
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Y11-CR
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Y11-DR
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Exposure Index versus Dose 1 to 50 mGy
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Dynamic Range
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Y13-FS
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Y11-CR
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Y11-DR
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Range of contrast visible in an image
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Noise, Uniformity and Image Artifacts
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Y11-CR
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Y11-DR
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For above range of dose measure noise in center and each quadrant
Check for artifacts
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Spatial Resolution
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Y15
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Y15
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Y15
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Line-pair or Leeds phantom
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Contrast Detectability
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Y13-FS
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Y11-CR
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Y11-DR
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Leeds phantom
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Digital Detector Residual Images
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Y11-CR
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Y11-DR
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Take image at 50 mGy then zero;
check for artifacts
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Phantom Dose Measurements
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Y18
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Y18
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Y18
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Measure dose at surface of standard phantom eg 20 cm PMMA
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Other
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Viewboxes
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Y26
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Y26
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Y26
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Check luminance, uniformity, homogeneity, ambient light
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Electronic Display Device Performance
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Y27
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Y27
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All clinical workstations must be calibrated for luminance, distortion, resolution and noise
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Integrity of Protective Equipment
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Y28
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Y28
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Y28
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Lead aprons, integral shielding
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General Preventive Maintenance
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Y29
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Y29
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Y29
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As per manufacturer
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DAP Meter
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Y30
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Y30
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Y30
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Calibrate if fitted
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