QUALITY-CONTROL WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF D IN-6856 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS - ADAPTING THE FILM VIEWBOXES AND THEIR SPECIFICATIONS IN A DEPARTMENT OF RADIOLOGY OF A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Purpose: The aim of our study was to examine the quality and consisten cy of film viewing equipment and surroundings for radiological film vi ewing as stipulated by the recently released DIN 6856 standard specifi cations sheet. Methods: 107 film viewers in 43 locations in the Depart ment of General Radiology (Hospital of the Goethe University in Frankf urt, Germany) were examined with regard to viewer brightness (intrinsi c luminous intensity) uniformity of viewbox brightness, colour of fluo rescence tubes, dimensions, adjustable filters, positioning of the vie wers and ambient light level. Results: Requirements regarding brightne ss were met in 70 %, whereas conditions regarding uniformity of bright ness were fullfilled in only 27 % and the required filters in only 20 % of all cases. Conclusions: 89 % of the examined film viewboxes did not comply with the strict specifications laid down in DIN 6856. The r equirements regarding the ambient light level (recommended range 50-10 0 lx) were met by only 75 % of the examined desks.