MRI Quality Control Program
Yearly Performance Evaluation
and Acceptance Testing
All
ACR accredited Magnetic Resonance Imaging sites, receive
an MRI Quality Control
Manual from the ACR. The memorandum that comes with this
manual states:
“Sites involved
in the accreditation program must develop a QC program that
is consistent with the tests and frequencies that are listed
in the ACR quality control manual by August 1, 2002.”
Like many sites, you may feel
overwhelmed by this 131 page manual. In general, the manual
clearly defines the roles of the head radiologist, the QC
technologist and MRI scientist. Together, these three (or
more) individuals make up a quality control committee. The
lead MRI radiologist has the responsibility for ensuring
that all QC requirements are met. The Qualified medical
physicist/MRI scientist is responsible for establishing
baseline equipment performance and overseeing all equipment-related
QC practices. The QC technologist is trained by the MRI
scientist and given responsibility to conduct QC activities
not assigned to the lead MRI radiologist or the MRI scientist.
As
stated in the ACR QC manual:
“Achieving
the full potential of MRI requires careful attention
to quality
assurance, both in regard
to equipment
performance and the execution of imaging studies.”
Chances are that your site does not now have a well-defined
QC procedure beyond a very simple SNR test as recommended
by your scanner manufacturer. Putting one in place will
require the services of a qualified Medical Physicist
or
MRI Scientist. Most Medical Physicists are well trained
in radiation physics but have very little training
in MRI
systems. As an MRI scientist, Dr. NessAiver has more
than 20 years of experience in Clinical MRI, R&D and education
and is fully qualified to help you meet the ACR’s
requirements.
As
part of a yearly QC service contract Simply Physics provides:
- A full
system check to establish baseline system performance
as described in the ACR QC Manual including:
- Magnetic
Field Homogeneity
- Slice
Position Accuracy
- Slice
Thickness Accuracy
- All
RF coils checked
- Inter-Slice
R.F. Interference
- Table Motion reproduceability
- Soft
Copy Displays (Monitors)
- Laser
Film Output (if applicable)
- Determination
of the optimal imaging sequence(s) and action limits
for daily QC testing.
- Instruction
of designated QC technologist on proper daily QC testing
procedures.
- QC Notebook
with all instructions and forms for one full year of
QC results.
This
notebook should also contain the other relevant institutional
policies as outlined on page 11 of the ACR QC manual. Please
note that much of what is described on this page is the
responsibility of the site to define, not the MRI scientist.
If your site does not currently have clearly defined policies
as outlined, I will assist in their definition where feasible,
providing examples from other institutions.
- Quarterly
review of all QC documentation with a written report
and graphs. I will also provide recommendations for
improved QC and/or imaging as needed.
- Review
of site protocols (up to half a day) with suggestions
for improvement as feasible.
- Unlimited
telephone support to answer any questions that may
come up regarding image quality issues.
- Two
copies (per magnet) of
the textbook “All You Really Need
to Know About MRI Physics”
- Two
copies (per magnet) of Simply Physics' MRI Home Study Program
approved for 12 hours of CE credit by the ASRT.
Please
contact Simply Physics at (410) 982-6599 or moriel@simplyphysics.com to obtain a quote for the above services.
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