MO‐B‐204C‐01: Practical Aspects of Medical Physics Surveys of Mammography Equipment and Facilities

Abstract

Some of the practical aspects of performing the required medical physics evaluations of both digital and film/screen mammography equipment and facilities will be presented and discussed based on the experience of surveying all brands of mammography equipment for the past 15 years. A complete list of the required tests for both digital and film/screen systems will be covered with tips for completing these tests in an efficient and practical manner to minimize the time required for the facility to be without access to their equipment. Facility evaluation not only includes the mammography equipment but also the viewing conditions for the radiologists and technologists workstations for digital systems as well as the viewboxes in clinical use for film/screen systems. A review process of the printers and processors as appropriate is required for a complete facility evaluation. The mammography physicist must be familiar with all of the tests required to be performed by the mammography technologist as part of the MQSA required Quality Control Program. At each annual review, the physicist must perform a complete review of the QC program and should make any suggestions appropriate to improve the images obtained at the facility.Learning Objectives:1. Attendees will know the Annual Tests required to be performed by the medical physicist to meet MQSA and ACR accreditation requirements for both Digital and Film/Screen Mammography Equipment.2. Attendees will be aware of efficient methods to be used to perform the required tests to meet accreditation requirements.3. Attendees will made familiar with the required tests for laser printers and monitors for digital systems and for film processors and viewboxes for film/screen systems.