RIO® Grande Physics Goal:
Is to assist our clients in establishing performance standards consistent with the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the American Association of Physicist in Medicine (AAPM) for PET/CT & Nuclear Medicine (NM) equipment to ensure high-quality diagnostic images are obtained and are consistent with the clinical use of the NM Cameras.
Encourage our clients to achieve ACR accreditation for this unique and important imaging modality.Annual medical physics evaluations performed on each Nuclear Medicine Camera includes, but not limited to, the following tests:
The following characteristics shall be evaluated for the equipment to which they apply on at least an annual basis:
- Spatial resolution (radial, tangential, and axial).
- Count rate performance including count loss correction factor.
- System dead time
- Count rate versus activity
- Prompt coincidences
- Random coincidences
- Background coincidences
- Net true coincidences
- Sensitivity (cps/MBq/ml) in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) modes as applicable.
- Uniformity (plane-by-plane in 2D and 3D modes as applicable).
- Attenuation-correction calibration accuracy (quantification).
- Linearity of bed motion.
- Reproducibility of transmission rod motion (extension and retraction) as applicable.
- Reproducibility of lead septa motion (extension and retraction) as applicable.
- Image contrast and full system test (phantom scan).
Establishment of a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly Quality Control Program (QCP) for each PET Scanner. The frequency and performance of QCP testing based on the ACR and AAPM recommendations.
