Survey and Quality Assurance Program of Medical Exposures from Mammography and X-Ray Computed Tomography in Taiwan(I)

Quality of medical exposure is an important component of the quality of medical care. Recently as the life quality improves our medical care also catch up quickly with advanced countries. However, the quality assurance of diagnostic radiology is not yet widely recognized and implemented in Taiwan. This integrated project focuses on mammography and x-ray CT, two of the imaging modalities of which exposure quality assurances are most important. For the equipment aspects, this project is divided into three sub-projects: (1) Survey of mammography system quality and investigation of radiation exposures from mammography exams; (2) Survey of CT system quality and investigation of radiation exposures from CT exams; (3) Establish mammography and CT exposure quality standards and provide related training. Sub-project 1 will base on the cooperation with the certification program for mammography screening institutions under the Bureau of Health Promotion of the Department of Health and survey approximately 200 mammography units per year. It will conduct longitudinal studies for three years. Sub-project 2 plans to survey approximately 100 CT unit per year and complete national survey in three years. All the surveys will collect important data on system performance, radiation exposure, image quality, status of QA and QA personnel, QA equipment availability, imaging parameters and patient number and characteristics etc. Sub-project 3 will be responsible for establish and feasibility evaluation of QA procedures and standards which include education and training for personnel. More basic researches include evaluation of glandularity of Taiwanese women in sub-project 1, CT dose assessment for pediatric patients and for automated tube current modulations in sub-project 2 and development of unified image quality assessment methods for digital mammography in sub-project 3. Specific aims of this integrated project include: 1. Survey of radiation dose to patients receiving mammography and CT exposures in Taiwan. 2. Establish diagnostic reference levels for mammography and CT exams in Taiwan. 3. Collect data and help quality assurance of mammography and CT systems in Taiwanese hospitals. 4. Establish quality standards and guidance for mammography and CT exposures in Taiwan. 5. Provide professional and hands-on training courses to mammography and CT QA personnel of hospitals in Taiwan.

Project ID:PB9803-0057
External Project ID:NSC98-2623-E182-002-NU