RESULTS OF A STUDY ON QUALITY-CONTROL OF DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND EQUIPMENT

Aims In this paper results of a quality control programme for B-mode u ltrasound equipment used in clinical routine are presented. Over a per iod of 18 months 5 modern scanners with altogether 19 scanheads were p eriodically controled. Methods The methods used for measuring the vari ous performance parameters of an ultrasound equipment followed closely standard methods. All measurements were carried out with commercially available tissue-mimicking phantoms, and documented in a uniform prot ocol. Results Based on the results it was found that 11, of the scanhe ads did not operate correctly; 2 additional ones were severely defecti ve. Only 6 scanheads were without loss of image quality or function. F or the 13 malfunctioning scanheads adjustments, repair or even an exch ange was necessary. Conclusion The study demonstrates that quality con trol performed periodically is necessary to ensure optimal image quali ty and safe operation of the equipment.