Quality Control

That owners of facilities using ionized radiations should be encouraged to meet a professional standards (ACR/CAR in medicine) of functioning and protection, at their own expense and in their own time.

 

That owners of medical x‑ray equipment be encouraged to  have biannual quality assurance examinations of their units in order to ensure that their patients are not being  overexposed to radiation. This should be done at their own expense, and by a service of their choice.

I can help in all phases of equipment lifetime while applying D4 principles of radiation protection.

• Radiation levels

• In controlled area < 1 microSv/year

• In uncontrolled area < 1 microSv/year

• Use 4 D’s of radiation protection

• Distance

• Density

• Source shielding

• Structural shielding (control booth)

• Duration

• Duty

 

Facility Requirements:

Facility structures should be constructed such that no person can receive more than 1 mSv per year.  The room containing the X-ray equipment must be designed so that during the examination the operator is not exposed to the primary radiation beam. Adequately shielded barrier, which allows observation of the patient, must be provided for the operator to stand behind during radiography.  Shielding must include, where necessary, floor, walls, ceiling and doors.

 

Design Criteria for Radiation Facilities:

In the planning of any radiation facility, consideration must be given to the distance, operating X-ray tube voltage, expected maximum workload of the equipment, orientation factors of the radiation barriers and occupancy factors for areas adjacent to the facility. Allowance should be made for possible future increases in these parameters.  Basic principles must be observed when determining the shielding requirements for a room used routinely for radiation. The radiation levels in controlled areas and uncontrolled areas that are occupied routinely must be such that no radiation worker can receive more than 1 mSv per year.

 

I do not use cooky-cut or one fits all protocols in my consulting; I calculate shielding required for all walls, floors and ceilings.

 

Is your present problem related to:

1. Your images are unsatisfactory, and you don't know how they can be improved.

2. You are having problems with regulatory or professional bodies. They are asking you to prove that you are measuring up to accepted standards in image quality and reduction in patient dose.

3. You are having trouble with equipment OEM’s, either in the acquisition of new equipment, or in relation to the present operation or the upgrading of existing equipment.

4. You are worried  because personnel monitoring is showing possible inadequacies in shielding barriers.

5. You are in need of  competent teachers for technical and professional staff.