Medical Physics Quality Control and Services

 

Services Provided

Following are the clinically relevant services provided by the Medical Physicists in the Radiology Department.

Equipment Procurement

  • Evaluate clinical requirements and define specifications
  • Write detailed bid specification documents
  • Review vendor bid responses-assess/rank clinical value of options
  • Assist in negotiations with vendors
  • Evaluate new technologies

Equipment Testing

  • Quarterly for Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS). (e.g. Computed Radiolography (CR), clinician's and physicians workstations)
  • Annually for imaging equipment (including radiographic, portable radiographic, fluoroscopic, mobile C-arm, angiographic, tomographic, CT, mammographic, digital mammographic, MRI and ultrasound).
  • As needed for new/upgrade/replacement equipment acceptance.
  • Prepare for and assist with State and Federal inspections.
  • Communicate with State/Federal regulatory agencies on medical physics issues.

Problem Solving

  • Equipment functions
  • Image quality
  • Safety concerns

Education

  • Develop protocols
  • Provide staff In-Service training
  • Teach radiology resident physics course
  • Provide physics training to fellows
  • Teach medical imaging physics to medical students
  • Make presentations at major medical physics society meetings
  • Participate in the work of national Medical Physics Standards bodies
  • Work with physicians and vendors to set up clinical trials/protocols

Radiation Safety

  • Measure doses for typical procedures in each room (annual)
  • Compute radiation-shielding requirements and submit requirements to State for their approval.
  • Test shielding, lead aprons, etc.
  • Develop policies and procedures
  • Provide information to physicians for IRB applications
  • Estimate doses to fetuses of pregnant patients
  • Discuss radiation  safety issues with  patients, family members, staff and physicians

The following regulatory agencies require that a Medical Physicist perform these duties:

  • FDA
  • MQSA
  • MDCH
  • MDCH for MRI CON

The following regulatory agencies mandate that procedures be established for equipment acceptance and testing to meet Federal, such as the FDA, requirements:

  • JCAHO
  • OSHA

The American College of Radiology recommends voluntary compliance with these guidelines