Module information
Details
- Title
- Quality Control of Nuclear Medicine Equipment
- Type
- Specialist
- Module code
- S-NM-S1-2
- Credits
- 10
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Aim of this module
The trainee will be able to perform, and analyse the results of, quality control procedures for nuclear medicine equipment.
Work-based content
Competencies
| # | Learning outcome | Competency | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 5 |
Competency
Perform a range of commissioning tests for a gamma camera, and report the results and the acceptability or otherwise of the performance |
Action View |
| # 2 | Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 5 |
Competency
Perform a range of commissioning tests for a sample counter, and report the results and the acceptability or otherwise of the performance |
Action View |
| # 3 | Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 5 |
Competency
Perform a range of commissioning tests for a gamma probe system for use in sentinel node biopsy, and report the results and the acceptability or otherwise of the performance |
Action View |
| # 4 | Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 5 |
Competency
Perform a range of commissioning tests for a radionuclide calibrator, and report the results and the acceptability or otherwise of the performance |
Action View |
| # 5 | Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 5 |
Competency
Perform commissioning tests for a contamination monitor, and report the results and the acceptability or otherwise of the performance |
Action View |
| # 6 | Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 5 |
Competency
Perform a range of quality control tests for a PET system, and report the results and the acceptability or otherwise of the performance |
Action View |
| # 7 | Learning outcome 1, 2, 5 |
Competency
Perform a range of quality control tests for a CT system, and report the results and the acceptability or otherwise of the performance |
Action View |
| # 8 | Learning outcome 2, 3, 4, 5 |
Competency
Investigate the impact of source parameters on radionuclide calibrator measurement accuracy |
Action View |
| # 9 | Learning outcome 1, 4 |
Competency
Critically appraise an element of quality assurance testing against national recommendations including appropriate tolerances |
Action View |
| # 10 | Learning outcome 5 |
Competency
Perform trend analysis for an element of quality control testing over an appropriate period and use to generate alert and action levels |
Action View |
Assessments
Complete 2 Case-Based Discussions
Complete 2 DOPS or OCEs
Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles
- Carry out a centre of rotation test on a SPECT system, and record and evaluate the results.
- Dispense radioactivity from a vial and use to prepare a phantom for quality control.
- Perform image quality tests for a CT scanner.
Observed Communication Event Titles
- Recognise and explain the cause of common image artefacts.
- Explain the importance of image quality to a service user.
Learning outcomes
| # | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Describe the quality assurance systems routinely used for nuclear medicine equipment. |
| 2 | Perform routine quality control on the complete range of nuclear medicine equipment. |
| 3 | Prepare radioactive sources for use in quality control. |
| 4 | Appraise the parameters used for quality control. |
| 5 | Analyse the results of quality control testing. |
Academic content (MSc in Clinical Science)
Important information
The academic parts of this module will be detailed and communicated to you by your university. Please contact them if you have questions regarding this module and its assessments. The module titles in your MSc may not be exactly identical to the work-based modules shown in the e-portfolio. Your modules will be aligned, however, to ensure that your academic and work-based learning are complimentary.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module the trainee will be able to:
- Critically analyse commissioning and routine performance results for gamma cameras and PET scanners.
- Critically evaluate the function and quality control of equipment used in non-imaging studies.
- Explain CT scanner operation and critically analyse commissioning and routine performance results.
- Explain radionuclide calibrator operation and critically analyse commissioning and routine performance results.
Indicative content
| Gamma camera performance and quality assurance | Uniformity correction maps, pulse arithmetic, tuning, energy correction maps and linearity corrections, and analysis of quality assurance testing of the gamma camera for commissioning and routine performance |
| Non-imaging equipment and quality assurance | Sample counter, counting statistics, gamma probe and quality control testing |
| PET scanner performance and quality assurance | Analysis of quality assurance testing of the PET scanner for commissioning and routine performance |
| CT scanner | Understand how a CT scanner operates and perform and analyse quality assurance testing for commissioning and routine performance |
| Radionuclide calibrator | Operation of the calibrator, the response with respect to photon energy, variability with geometry and emission type, and the use of copper filters |
Clinical experiences
Important information
Clinical experiential learning is the range of activities trainees may undertake in order to gain the experience and evidence to demonstrate their achievement of module competencies and assessments. The list is not definitive or mandatory, but training officers should ensure, as best training practice, that trainees gain as many of these clinical experiences as possible. They should be included in training plans, and once undertaken they should support the completion of module assessments and competencies within the e-portfolio.
Activities
- Observe a full range of diagnostic nuclear medicine investigations in order to appreciate the application and acceptable performance when in clinical use.
- Observe support engineers performing equipment installation, upgrades and/or servicing.
- Observe the critical examination of a CT installation.