Radiology maintenance--circle of quality assurance

The term Quality Assurance in Radiology expresses a commitment to superior performance--superior performance from the equipment, operators, management, service providers, and all others who share responsibility for patient care in radiology. The diagnostic imaging equipment must function to its optimum capabilities throughout its life cycle. Quality assurance requires all personnel to possess a sense of urgency and concern for the customer who, in the final analysis, is the patient. This paper discusses a proposed model called the Circle of Quality Assurance. Properly implemented by well-trained personnel under good management, the author believes such programs will assure diagnostic quality images while reducing costs, enhancing patient throughput, and ensuring patient and operator safety.