The annual MRI System Performance Evaluation consists of an annual on-site examination (phantom study, examination of site’s records, review of film printer performance) and an off-site review (~6 months later) of the site’s QC data.
The initial on-site visit typically requires 2-4 hours, depending upon the experience of the MRI operator. During the initial program set-up, Diagnostic Physics will explain how to perform each measurement required by ACR for the site’s weekly Equipment QC verification.
The annual on-site phantom study is considerably more extensive than the weekly study performed by the technologist. We perform the tests (using the site’s MRI phantom as required by the ACR for weekly testing) as described in the ACR Quality Control Manual, those that can be accomplished solely by the physicist:
- High-contrast resolution (T1 and T2)
- Geometric accuracy (Sagittal, T1 slices 1 and 5)
- Slice position accuracy (T1 and T2)
- Slice thickness accuracy (T1 and T2)
- Percent signal ghosting (T1)
- Image intensity uniformity (T1 and T2)
- Low contrast detectability (T1 and T2)
- Soft copy display
Diagnostic Physics has an extensive MRI client base that includes multiple sites of many of the more popular MRI systems. This allows us to compare the performance of a client’s system with the same systems at other sites and thereby get a measure of whether a system is performing at its peak capability. At the client’s request, we can provide this informal performance review.
We have two physicists on staff that meet the ACR requirements for experience, CEUs, and education for MRI.