APPENDIX E
QUALITY CONTROL TESTING AND MAMMOGRAPHIC EOUIPMENT STANDARDS
A documented quality control program with procedure manuals and logs shall be maintained and be available to all staff. The quality control program shall include the following tests as a minimum16-19,21-25.
| Radiation Technologist's Checks: | Minimum Frequency |
|---|---|
| Darkroom Cleanliness | Daily |
| Processor Sensitometry | Daily |
| Screen Cleanliness | Weekly |
| Viewboxes and Viewing Conditions | Weekly |
| Image Quality with RMI 156 Phantom | Weekly |
| Visual Check List | Monthly |
| Screen Uniformity | Quarterly |
| Darkroom Fog Tests (non-daylight systems) | Semi-annually |
| Film/Screen Contact Evaluation | Semi-annually |
| Compression Assembly Evaluation | Semi-annually |
| Repeat Analysis Audit | Annually |
Quality Assurance Technologist's/Clinical Engineer's Checks:
The following checks are to be completed semi-annually and after any servicing, with biennial audits conducted under the provincial radiation protection program. The performance criterion for each parameter is noted.
| Parameter | Standard/Performance Criteria |
|---|---|
| Mammographic Unit Assembly | all controls functioning normally |
| Grid | no lines |
| Radiation Output at 30 kVp, 60 cm | > 0.10 mGy/mAs |
| kVp Accuracy | ± 1.0 kVp |
| kVp Reproducibility | ± 0.5 kVp |
| mAs Linearity | ± 10% |
| Half Value Layer (HVL) Measurement at 30 kVp | 0.30 mm < HVL < 0.4 mm A1 |
| Collimation/Beam Alignment | < 2 % of SID but ≤ 5 mm at chest wall |
| AEC kVp Compensation, Minimum Response Time & Backup Timer | ± 10% O.D. over 25-30 kVp |
| AEC Object Thickness Compensation | ± 10% O.D. over 2-6 cm |
| Image Quality with RMI 156 Phantom (minimum) | 0.75 mm fibres 0.32 mm specks 0.75 mm mass |
| Irradiation Coefficient of Variation | 5 % |
| Lucite Block Density | 1.2 ± 0.1 O.D. |
| Breast Surface Dose | < 9 mSv |
| Average Glandular Dose | < 3 mSv per view |
