Level I – Gamma Camera Annual Testing which includes (maximum of one visit and 8 man‑hours – accomplished annually):
1. Intrinsic Uniformity – Performed to ensure that the intrinsic detector integral and differential uniformity is sufficient to minimize the production of artifacts and ensure that patient abnormalities can be visualized without interference from the imaging system. These tests also monitor a scintillation unit for electronic problems and crystal deterioration (hydration).
2. System Uniformity – Performed to check all commonly used collimators for defects that might produce artifacts in planar and tomographic studies.
3. Intrinsic or System Spatial Resolution – Performed to ensure that the detector resolution is sufficient to provide satisfactory lesion detectability and delineate detail in clinical images.
4. Relative Sensitivity – Performed to verify that count rate per unit activity is satisfactory to maintain image quality and preserve the integrity of quantitative studies.
5. Energy Resolution – Performed to verify that scatter rejection is sufficient to provide optimal contrast in clinical studies. Note: On some unit systems, precise measurements of energy resolution are very difficult to make.
6. Count Rate Parameters – Performed to ensure that the time to process an event is sufficient to maintain spatial resolution and uniformity in clinical images acquired at high-count rates.
7. Video Display and System Outputs – Performed to ensure that systems used to produce hard copy and monitors that are used for interpretation of clinical studies provide satisfactory image quality in terms of uniformity and spatial resolution.
8. Mechanical Operation and System Interlocks – Performed to verify that all system interlocks are operating as designed and that the system is safe and reliable for the nuclear medicine technologist to operate and for imaging patients.
9. Thyroid Uptake and Counting Systems (if present) – Performed to verify energy calibration, energy linearity, energy resolution, sensitivity, and reliability (Chi-squared test) for the measurement of organ function and the assay of patient samples.
• I-123 capsule or long-lived standard calibration check
• Count of background
• High voltage/gain checks
• Energy resolution
• Chi-square test
Level II – Includes all the Level I testing plus the following (maximum of two visits and 16 man‑hours, additional nuclides are $500 each – accomplished annually):
1. Overall System Performance (Phantom Scan) - Performed using a Jaszczak phantom to quantitatively verify that systems provide satisfactory uniformity, contrast, and spatial resolution.
2. Routine QC Evaluation –Includes quarterly or semi-annual review (data and images sent in e-mail) of QC procedures accomplished by the NM technologist (this aspect is not accomplished on-site).
Level III – Includes all the Level I and Level II testing plus the following (maximum of four visits and 24 man-hours) (only applicable to the ICANL or JACHO accreditation):
1. Assistance with creation of policies, procedures, protocols – Diagnostic Physics has templates for some protocols required by ICANL. We can work with your staff to customize these protocols to fit your facility needs. We can also assist in creating the package to be sent to the ICANL for review. Please note that this does not relieve your staff of all obligations – we are consultants and we are there to help and provide knowledge – however we do not work for your facility and we cannot create every document that will become part of the ICANL submission.
We offer a 10% discount for more than one unit in each modality at the same site. If you wish to sign a contract with us, we are willing to offer this fee schedule for 3 years.
I hope this clarification is of value to you. We truly are here to help and our experience with Nuclear Medicine accreditation is extensive. We consult throughout South Florida and have five staff members to assist you.