1. Imaging Equipment Testing Support Services
Acceptance Testing: QAS
Diagnostic Radiological Physicists provide an independent assessment
of newly installed diagnostic imaging equipment
to assure the equipment is operating to the manufacturer’s specifications.
ACR Accreditation Testing: QAS Diagnostic Radiological Physicists are
on file with the ACR and assist with the medical physics portion of the
Accreditation process.
Annual Image Quality Testing: QAS Diagnostic Radiological Physicists provide
an independent assessment of the operating condition of all diagnostic
imaging equipment to assure compliance with State and Federal regulations.
QAS Diagnostic Radiological Physicists are qualified on all diagnostic
imaging modalities: R&F; CR & DR; CT;
MRI; Mammography; Ultrasound; Gamma Cameras; PET; PET/CT.
2. Radiation Safety Program Compliance Support Services
Annual Audits: QAS Medical Nuclear Physicists provide an independent review
of the radiation safety program in accordance with 10 CFR 20.1101(a), which
requires that every licensed facility conduct an annual review of their
radiation safety program to assure compliance with the regulations.
Quarterly Reviews: QAS Medical Nuclear Physicists assist with routine
compliance of State and Federal regulations by assuring all required documentation
and testing is conducted properly and timely.
Radioactive Materials License: QAS Medical Nuclear Physicists assist with
the drafting and submittal of radioactive materials license application
packages and with the drafting and submittal of radioactive materials license
amendments. QAS Physicists also assist with the radioactive materials license
termination process and with the decommissioning of licensed spaces.
Radiation Safety Officer: QAS Physicists are qualified to fill the position
of Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at any medical facility. All QAS Physicists
are currently the RSO for at least one medical facility.
3. Shielding
a. Shielding Plans
All radiation producing equipment installations in hospitals and medical
centers are required to have prepared a Shielding Plan. The Shielding Plan
conforms to NCRP-147 guidelines and lays out the placement and quantity
of lead shielding that may be required for a specific installation. Shielding
Plans are submitted for approval in the construction process.
b. Shielding Verification
In order to preclude adding lead shielding to areas that may not need
it, QAS Physicists determine the attenuation provided by existing radiation
barriers and compare this to the lead shielding requirements called for
in the Shielding Plan.
Some counties require that the attenuation achieved by newly installed
radiation barriers be confirmed as meeting the requirements of the Shielding
Plan originally submitted and approved.
QAS is currently the only company in California licensed to use its radioactive
sources to properly determine the attenuation of the radiation barriers.
4. Organ and Whole Body Dose Assessments
Whether from x-ray producing equipment or from injection of radioisotopes,
QAS Medical Health Physicists provide an assessment of either (or both)
the dose to a specific organ or to the whole body.
5. JCAHO Preparation Review
QAS Physicists provide routine auditing services to all departments which
have any responsibility for the radiation safety program operation to assist
with readiness for JCAHO.
6. Equipment Selection and Procurement
QAS Physicists are knowledgeable in many areas of equipment operation
and can assist with the selection of proper instrumentation. QAS maintains
a resale relationship with some key vendors and can frequently provide
equipment at discounted prices:
Fluke Biomedical: all nuclear medicine/PET hot lab equipment
Isotope Products Laboratory (IPL): radioactive sources
Ludlum Measurement Instruments (LMI): radiation
detection instruments
7. Geiger Counter Calibrations
QAS is licensed to calibrate radiation detection instruments. QAS Medical
Health Physicists are trained in the operation and calibration of most
makes and models of radiation detection instruments.
8. Training
QAS Physicists are available to provide training in any of the areas listed
above as services provided by QAS.
9. Problem Solvers
QAS Physicists are highly trained professionals with substantial practical
experience in all areas of Diagnostic Radiological Medical Physics, Medical
Health Physics, and Medical Nuclear Physics. QAS Physicists maintain a
close working rapport with both State and local members of the Radiologic
Health Branch so that problems can be dealt with fairly and quickly.
10. Quality Assurance
It is QAS’ philosophy that providing high image quality is the purpose
of all that we do in the field of diagnostic imaging. To this end, QAS
firmly believes that a high quality QA/QC program will lead to reduced
maintenance, reduced down-time, increased operational up-time, lower maintenance
costs, and higher image quality as an end product. To this end, QAS Physicists
provide your primary professional support.
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