Training Activity on Comprehensive Clinical Audits in Diagnostic Radiology under the Quality Assurance Audit for Diagnostic Radiology Improvement and Learning (QUAADRIL) Tool

Introduction

Quality Assurance is a key component of diagnostic radiology, being driven by a number of factors that include: (i) the high cost/complexity of radiological equipment, (ii) the need for patient dose optimization and (iii) the importance of radiological diagnosis to patient management within the health care environment.

One of the key elements within the framework of quality is the comprehensive and critical review of practice in a medical radiation facility. This audit process is synonymous with an independent external evaluation, assessment or peer review. Its significance is acknowledged both in the International and the European Basic Safety Standards.

The IAEA further recognizing the importance of comprehensive quality audits in Diagnostic Radiology provides support to its Member States in terms of:

• Development of guidelines. Human Health Series No.4 entitled "Comprehensive Clinical Audits of Diagnostic Radiology Practices", known as QUAADRIL (Quality Assurance Audit for Diagnostic Radiology Improvement and Learning) is the latest addition to the auditing methodologies toolbox. It can be used both as an auditing tool, but also as a tool for the development of a quality framework.
• Training of auditors. As the QUAADRIL methodology can be used by Member States to develop their individualized auditing process, the IAEA supports the training of future auditors through training courses and workshops.
• Functioning as the independent auditing body. Following corresponding requests, usually linked, but not limited to relevant TC projects, the IAEA is responsible for forming the auditing team, assuring the principle of independency between the auditors and the audited department.

Objectives

The overall objective is for delegates to be equipped with the competences and tools to develop and support a comprehensive quality framework for a radiology department, leading to improved patient care.
Specific objectives of this course will be:

• to provide delegates with an understanding of a quality manual and the associated quality systems which underpinned it.
• to provide delegates with an understanding of each profession contribution to the framework of quality, as described in the IAEA QUAADRIL methodology.
• to provide support to strengthening the multidisciplinary approach to developing and sustaining quality systems in diagnostic and interventional radiology.
• The course will help participants understand the QUAADRIL audit methodology, its requirements and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in the audit process.

Expected Outputs

The expected outputs will be to make participants acquainted with different components of a formal quality system for radiology. Different professionals (radiologists, medical physicists, and radiographers/radiation technologist) will have different expected outputs. Detailed information is provided in the subsequent topics.

Topics

The main topics of this course will be:

• Basics of quality
• Assessment of quality
• How to measure quality/performance indicators
• Drafting formal procedures
• Equipment specific QA/QC and dosimetry requirements
• Optimization from the radiologist/medical physicist/radiographer perspective
• Incident reporting systems
• Introduction to Quaadril
• Introduction to clinical audit