Quality assurance is the overall program, put in place to ensure that a comprehensive range of quality control activities work effectively, while quality control the means by which, each area of interest is monitored and evaluated.

HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST & FILM ANALYSIS

1. QUALITY ASSURANCE QUALITY CONTROL

2. INTRODUCTION Quality assurance is the overall program, put in place to ensure that a comprehensive range of quality control activities work effectively, while quality control the means by which, each area of interest is monitored and evaluated. 2

3. Health and Safety 3

4. X-ray departments should be prepared for emergencies such as fire, major disaster or any life threatening situation. Machinery Electricity Hazardous chemicals Radiation Patients Fire and major disaster plan should be in place. Cardiac arrest training should be given. Regular maintenance inspections are carried out. Safety procedures are followed. Adequate instruction is given. Safety equipment is readily available. 4

5. Machinery - Regularly inspect all machinery. Electricity - “ do not attempt to repair anything you do not understand” Fire - Adequate fire fighting equipment, instructions, and evacuation procedures must be in place at all times. Hazardous Chemicals - Developer and fixer are hazardous chemicals and should be handled with care. Display manufacturer’s instruction for mixing, care and first aid treatment, in a prominent place in the area in which the chemicals are to used. 5

6. R adiation Use an ongoing personnel monitoring system. Do not produce x-radiation unnecessarily Requests for x-ray examinations should be justified. Avoid the use of x-ray examinations on pregnant women whoever possible, especially in the first trimester. Keep clear of the primary radiation beam. Keep clear of any scattered radiation. Collimate the beam as much as practicable. Minimize repeat films. Use lead rubber shielding whenever possible, especially of radiosensitive organs. Mae sure that all items of lead rubber are in good condition and effective. Make sure that x-ray room walls effectively protect people in adjacent areas. Close the door of x-ray room when exposing. 6

7. R adiation - Standard radiation warning symbols must be placed on the doors of all x-ray rooms. - Illuminated signs should be placed at the entrance to all x-ray rooms where prolonged x-ray exposure are made, warning when x-rays are being used. - Make sure that all unnecessary personnel are clear of the radiation area when exposing. - Make sure that x-ray equipment should be switched off when not in use and any safety lock keys removed. - Use correct filtration of the x-ray beam - Special care must be taken when using mobile/portable x-rays units, in ward or operating theater situations - Apply ALARA principle when exposing anyone to radiation. 7

8. Working with the patient - Moving and handling - Cross infection -Disaster 8

9. Reject Film Analysis 9

10. Objective: To provide all relevant information and give opportunity to gain practical experience in: Designing a reject film analysis program Setting up and running a reject film analysis program Analyzing the results of that program Setting up remedial action based on those results Instigating a follow up program to assess the effectiveness of the remedial action taken. A reject analysis can be an important part of your ongoing quality assurance program. It is important to fully explain to all concerned Why the analysis is being carried out How it will be carried out When it will be carried out 10

11. Sensitometry and radiation consistency tests should be run in parallel with a reject film analysis as processing or radiation output irregularities may be causing some of the problems. BENEFITS: Able to identify the main errors and put measures in place to reduce them Save money by reducing wastage Reduce radiation dose to the patient by minimizing the number of repeat films Save time and effort by reducing the number of repeat films. Provide ongoing data for comparison Provide possible source of statistics to support claims for more funding to replace, modify or repair faulty equipment. 11

12. Setting up reject film analysis program: Design the program Determine the period over which the program will run. Nominate a starting and finishing date and time. Inform staff. Decide what data you need Design data recording sheets Place reject film boxes in appropriate area 12

13. Method Collect all reject films daily Record numbers of reject films on data sheets daily. Immediately the program has finished recount the films in the store, cassettes and half empty boxes. Original film count, minus end film count, equals number of films used Analyze the data 13

14. Analysis Overall number of reject films. Number of reject films by size. Number of reject films by faults. Number of reject films by rooms Overall cost of rejected films Identification of common faults Reject films as a percentage of films used. 14

15. A reject rate of 10% or more should be consider unacceptable. A reject rate of 5% to 10% justifies continued monitoring. Action Rank the faults in order of frequency Identify the most common faults Set up remedial programs the correct errors. Inform staff of findings and planned remedial action Start remedial action program Nominate dates for another analysis if necessary File data for future referrence 15

16. The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. Walt Disney Tuesday, February 2, 20XX Sample Footer Text 16