By Elizabeth Keavey, Principal Physicist, BreastCheck, National Screening Service
We’re taking part in a research project led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The research, called Advanced Tools for Quality and Dosimetry of Digital Imaging in Radiology, aims to improve x-ray imaging quality and safety in radiology centres worldwide. It will develop a consensus approach to a simple, cost-effective quality control test which can be used to support low-resource countries in improving consistency and quality of radiography, mammography imaging and screening.
Why quality assurance matters in x-ray imaging
With x-ray imaging becoming more widespread globally, having robust quality assurance (QA) programmes is essential. QA ensures that x-ray facilities consistently produce high-quality images while keeping radiation exposure to a minimum for patients and staff. A crucial part of QA is technical quality control (QC). This involves testing equipment regularly to ensure we maintain a high-quality x-ray image, and to monitor the radiation dose.
Addressing the shortage of medical physicists
Clinically qualified medical physicists (CQMPs) are key to running QA and QC programmes and oversee the technical quality control of x-ray imaging. However, there is a global shortage of CQMPs trained in radiology. Even in departments where they are available, there is often a lack of access to the necessary tools and resources to work efficiently and keep up to date with advancements in the field.
The IAEA’s innovative approach
This research project explores a simple, cost-effective method developed by the IAEA to address the need for regular QC testing. It uses two test devices (phantoms) - one for radiography and one for mammography - and specialised software.
- The test devices allow radiology centres to carry out frequent QC tests on the x-ray machines - daily or weekly, even in resource-limited settings.
- The software uses automated tools to analyse images and flag potential issues, reducing the need for manual oversight.
Another benefit of this analysis is its ability to be conducted remotely, allowing physicists to assess performance without needing to be on-site. The phantoms are particularly notable because they can be made locally using simple, affordable materials.
Our role in the project
With extensive expertise in quality assurance, our medical physics team is well-positioned to contribute to this international project. We’re supporting University Hospital Galway in the mammography aspect of the research, using the phantom test device for QC purposes and collating the results. Ireland is one of 16 countries involved in the project worldwide.
Next steps
The international project team met at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna in Austria in early December 2024. Over the course of a week, each country involved in the project presented its data and notable findings, collaborated in group analysis, and identified updates to be completed. A plan outlining the next steps was developed, with the next online meeting scheduled for February 2025.