Modality: Ultrasound
Ultrasound physics testing and quality assurance. AIUM and ACR ultrasound accreditation support, annual equipment evaluations, image quality assessment, and transducer performance testing.
Key Features
- Annual performance evaluations
- Image quality assessment
- Quality control testing
- Protocol optimization
- Staff training and education
Applications
- Obstetric imaging
- Abdominal imaging
- Vascular imaging
- Musculoskeletal imaging
Benefits
- Safe and non-invasive
- Immediate results
- Cost-effective
- Dynamic imaging capability
What the annual ultrasound physics evaluation covers
- Transducer performance. Dead-element detection, image uniformity, spatial resolution and depth of penetration, for each transducer type.
- Measurement accuracy. Distance measurement and other phantom-based checks with tissue-mimicking phantoms.
- Output display and ALARA. Review of thermal index and mechanical index display, and documentation that supports ALARA practice.
- A documented QC program. Baselines and action levels the facility defines and justifies in writing.
Accreditation and regulatory drivers
Ultrasound QC requirements come mainly from accreditation programs rather than from federal or state radiation-control regulations, because diagnostic ultrasound does not produce ionizing radiation, although state or payer requirements may also apply. The ACR Ultrasound Accreditation Program requires QC testing of every unit at least annually by the medical physicist or a designee, with an annual equipment survey summary submitted, and DRPS supports ACR ultrasound and breast ultrasound accreditation. AIUM ultrasound practice accreditation also requires documented QA testing of each system at least annually; a medical physicist may perform it, although AIUM does not require one.
Go deeper
- Diagnostic Ultrasound QC: AAPM/ACR Program lists the full QC test set.
- Ultrasound Transducer QC: Dead Elements covers transducer element testing.
- Doppler Ultrasound QC: Flow and Velocity Testing covers Doppler checks.
- Ultrasound Thermal & Mechanical Index Safety covers TI, MI and ALARA.
Ready to schedule an evaluation? See our ultrasound physics testing service or request a quote.