Medical Imaging
RADIATION SHIELDING DESIGN
DOSE CALCULATIONS
From imaging the wrong patient or pregnant patients to abnormal personal radiation monitoring results, we can complete a radiation dose assessment and provide advice on regulatory reporting requirements and patient follow-up.
RADIATION MEASUREMENTS
DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS (DRL)
Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) give an indication of levels of doses to patients for common procedures and is one tool to assist optimisation in medical imaging.
It is a requirement to establish a DRL program and compare with published DRL’s at least annually for those radiological procedures for which DRLs have been established in Australia.
We can assist in performing DRLs and reviewing results. We can also provide advice and work with your team to optimise any areas of potential improvements.
FACILITY REFERENCE LEVELS (FRL)
Facility reference levels can be established for procedures where diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) have and have not been established in Australia.
FRLs give an indication of levels of doses to patients for common procedures and is one tool to assist optimisation in medical imaging.
We can assist in performing FRLs and reviewing results. We can also provide advice and work with your team to optimise any areas of potential improvements.
QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAMS
Are you a practice that strives for best practice? Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) programs can ensure that your team are always aware that your units are working optimally and identify any potential issues prior to it impacting clinical images.
Our medical physicists can facilitate implementing a QA and QC program tailored for your practice. We can also provide ongoing support for questions and provide advice when an issue is identified.
IMAGE PROTOCOL REVIEW
Are you unhappy with your image quality? Our medical physicists can work with you and your team to review protocols to improve image quality and radiation dose to optimise your protocols and patient outcomes.
RADIOLOGICAL PHYSICS EDUCATION
Our diagnostic medical physics can provide lectures or tutorials for first year Radiology registrars requiring to sit the Part 1 Applied Imaging Technology (AIT) examinations. These can be one-to-one or small group tutoring. We can also cater physics education for radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists or other technical staff and students.
RESEARCH INVOLVING IRRADIATION OF HUMANS
For research projects involving exposure to ionising radiation that is above standard care, a medical physics assessment is required. Our medical physicists are approved to complete medical physics assessments for both radiology and nuclear medicine examinations.
NEW SYSTEM ASSESSMENT
Are you purchasing a new piece of equipment and want to assess the radiation safety of the unit? Our medical physicists can assess your shortlisted units for radiation dose and image quality. This can include reviewing vendor responses or a physical radiation safety and medical physics inspection of the unit prior to purchase.
DIAS REQUIREMENTS
Our medical physicists are considered a ‘qualified person’ to review the screening times and dose metrics for fluoroscopic and angiographic units. We also complete an assessment to identify potential areas of improvement to head towards best practice.
COMPLIANCE TESTING
RADIATION SAFETY TESTING
Not all units are prescribed radiation sources. However, regular testing is considered best practice. Radiation Safety Testing allows you to know that your unit is working as it should and can assist with accreditation programs. Radiation Safety Testing is available for: intra-oral dental units, OPG and cephalometric units, Nuclear Medicine and PET units.
(Be aware the compliance requirements may vary between regulatory jurisdictions)
ACCEPTANCE TESTING AND COMMISSIONING
Following a new installation, acceptance testing and commissioning is recommended. This goes above and beyond the standard radiation safety and compliance tests. Acceptance testing and commissioning are generally extensive and are aimed primarily at ensuring that the equipment is correctly set up for clinical use. Performance baselines for future routine testing are also established during commissioning tests. Acceptance Testing and Commissioning is available for all units.
MQAP TESTING
The Mammography Quality Assurance Program (MQAP) provides quality assurance assessment for mammography sites.
MQAP Equipment Assessments are available for DR mammography units by one of our ACPSEM certified physicists.
SOMETHING EXTRA?
Our medical physicists can also complete a broader range of medical physics tests.
These include: scattered radiation dose, CTDIvol, CT number linearity, CT number energy dependency and low contrast resolution plus many more.