Proposals for the Russian quality assurance program in computed tomography

• Main Authors: P. S. Druzhinina, L. A. Chipiga, S. A. Ryzhov, A. V. Vodovatov, G. V. Berkovich, A. V. Smirnov, D. V. Yaryna, E. P. Ermolina, Yu. V. Druzhinina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after Professor P.V. Ramzaev 2021-04-01
• Series: Radiacionnaâ Gigiena
• Subjects: computed tomography; quality assurance; quality control; diagnostic reference levels; unintended medical exposure; accidental medical exposure
• Online Access: https://www.radhyg.ru/jour/article/view/766

To ensure the quality assurance of CT-examinations, it is necessary to obtain the high-quality diagnostic information and maintain the optimal exposure levels of patients and medical staff. This paper is focused on the requirements and main aspects of quality assurance of CT-examinations, which include quality control of the equipment, methods of CT-image quality control, optimization of radiation protection, as well as management of the unintended and accidental medical exposure. The paper contains recommendations on quality control of diagnostic equipment, methods for monitoring the quality control of CT-images, values of diagnostic reference levels for the detection of abnormally high patient doses and optimization of the radiation protection of patients, as well as the recommendations for management of radiation and non-radiation accidents. All main sections of the paper represent an unified quality assurance system in computed tomography.