Quality Control and Care of Ultrasound Equipment

QUALITY CONTROL AND CARE OF EQUIPMENT

Getting the best from your machine

THE COMPETENCE OF THE OPERATOR

Because of the difficulty of interpreting ultrasound images, ultrasound examinations should only be performed by trained and competent personnel.

It is better not to do an examination at all than to provide incorrect or misleading diagnostic information.

Operators should not only be trained according to acceptable international standards, but they should continue to improve their knowledge and skills throughout their working life.

• People in training should be supervised by trained

and experienced personnel.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Quality assurance (QA) is the process of ensuring that all aspects of an ultrasound service meet accepted international standards.

• A quality assurance program should consider:
• The competence of the operator
• The quality of service to the patient
• The quality of the image production

The maintenance and care of equipment

SERVICE TO THE PATIENT

Patient care should consider the following matters:

Careful appointment system to guarantee correct patient preparation, and minimal inconvenience.

Careful consideration of patient safety, privacy and confidentiality.

A well organized system of reporting procedures, including storage and delivery of results.

Patient consent should always be obtained for invasive ultrasound procedures

QUALITY OF IMAGE PRODUCTION

• Performance testing of ultrasound equipment is controversial for the following reasons:
• Ultrasound is considered a safe modality
• Modern ultrasound machines are considered stable and reliable
• Ultrasound QA testing is often considered to be rather subjective

There are presently no regulations requiring a QA program

PERFORMANCE TESTING

Although testing of equipment is not essential, there are some applications, such as breast ultrasound, where it is very advisable. There are also some situations, where trained personnel are available to perform the task, and for those situations, there is special testing equipment available.

TISSUE EQUIVALENT PHANTOMS

The accuracy with which the ultrasound image represents an anatomical area depends on the correct functioning of the many components of the ultrasound machine.

Occasional testing can ensure the machine is performing according to acceptable standards, and is accurate and consistent.

Special test phantoms are available which enable people to make these checks

TEST PHANTOMS

Test phantoms are made of materials which are similar to tissue in their acoustic characteristics.

They contain various targets and structures designed for testing a number of parameters such as image resolution and measurement accuracy.

TEST PHANTOMS

Maintenance and care of equipment

Great care must be taken to keep an ultrasound machine in good working order and safe from hazards.

1/ The transducer

If piezo electric elements are heated they lose their piezo electric properties because they become depolarized. Therefore the transducer should never be heat sterilized. They are also sensitive to mechanical shock

and should never be dropped.

MAINTENANCE AND CARE OF EQUIPMENT

After use, always leave the transducer clean and dry. Wipe it with warm soapy water and dry.

Never used oil based coupling gels. They will perish the rubber casing covering the transducer and allow oil to enter the inside which will cause damage. Use good quality, aqueous based gels only.

• The transducer should occasionally
• be sterilized by wiping with aqueous
• chlorhexidine solution or similar. Don’t

leave the transducer to soak.

MAINTENANCE AND CARE OF EQUIPMENT

2/ The control desk

Remove any dirt or coupling gel by wiping with a soft cloth dampened with warm soapy water.

NEVER sit liquids, such as cups of coffee on the control desk, or use the surface to hold other items.

• 3/ The main console
• Use the ultrasound machine in a cool
• dust free environment.
• Keep the air vents on the side of the
• machine clear of obstruction and
• clean. Clean any air filters present.
• Operate the machine with a voltage stabilizer

to protect it from damage by voltage surges.

MAINTENANCE AND CARE OF EQUIPMENT

• 4/ Electrical safety

Inspect the transducer closely for any cracks or damage to the plastic housing.

Inspect cables for any wear or damage to the insulation. Inspect any plugs, adapters or connector assemblies for any electrical dangers.

• Connect the machine directly
• to mains power and not to a

multi outlet power board.