The quality criteria concept: an introduction and overview

The Quality Criteria concept has been developed over the past decade in Europe and applied with success for conventional X ray examinations of adult and paediatric patients. This concept has recently been extended to computed tomography, and will also be available for digital radiography in the near future. The aim of the Quality Criteria for diagnostic images is to define a level of performance considered necessary to produce images of standard quality for a particular anatomical region and which could address any clinical indication. The image criteria include anatomical criteria, which relate to the visualisation or critical reproduction of anatomical features and also physical criteria measurable by objective means. The diagnostic reference doses introduced by ICRP 73 are an essential element of the Quality Criteria concept given for examinations on standard-sized patients. The Quality Criteria should provide a logical framework for radiation protection initiatives which links the desired or acceptable outcome, in terms of image quality, of a radiological examination, to the radiographic technique required to produce this outcome and the patient dose which should be achievable.