AbstractID: 6518 Title: Implementation of a regulatory requirement for Diagnostic Radiology Quality
Assurance - A State Perspective
New Jersey adopted regulations in January 2001 requiring quality assurance (QA)
programs for diagnostic x-ray machines located in hospitals, medical, chiropractic, and
podiatric offices, as well as industry, schools and government facilities. The specific QA
provisions apply to radiographic, fluoroscopic, computed tomography and bone
densitometry equipment. A key provision of the regulations is the annual radiographic
quality control (QC) survey, conducted by a certified medical physicist currently
approved by the Department. Some of the QC tests can be delegated to a Physicist
Assistant, who meets the credentialing requirements for that position.
These new regulations were developed with extensive stakeholder input. New Jersey
medical physicists participated in identifying the required QC tests, in developing the
annual QC survey procedures and performance criteria, and in designating medical
physicist credentials.
Implementation of QA requirements is being phased in over a 10-month period to allow
medical physicists to reach each facility. To assist facilities with achieving full
compliance, workshops will be conducted in every county at least 30 days before that
county’s compliance deadline. Four Compliance Guidance Documents have been
developed and distributed. One assists facility personnel prepare their QA Manual. The
other three Guidance Documents contain detailed descriptions of how to conduct required
QC test procedures for radiography, fluoroscopy, and CT x-ray units.
State inspectors will measure entrance skin exposure and image quality using a specially
designed phantom to measure the long-term effectiveness of the QA regulation. Baseline
results will be presented.