What is a Quality Assurance Program for Diagnostic X-ray?
A quality assurance program is a system of plans, tests, reviews, reports, records, and actions, whose purpose is to protect the public and radiation workers from unnecessary exposure to radiation and to reduce the occurrence of misdiagnosis caused by faulty equipment and operator error. In many respects, a quality assurance program is the frame of mind that the medical professionals in a radiology practice adopt to ensure that; • The x-ray machine works properly, • the patient is positioned properly, • appropriate technique factors are used, • personnel are properly trained, • the film processor is functioning properly, and • the interpretation of the radiograph is correct and fully communicated to the patient. Because of the proven benefits of quality assurance programs in radiography, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has adopted new Quality Assurance Rules that all hospitals, medical, podiatric, chiropractic offices, and other facilities with medical diagnostic
