Practical tips, artifact examples, and pitfalls to avoid med. The acr accreditation programs are based on the acr practice guidelines and. To help answer those questions we have put together our protocols as well as adding ct scan protocols from other institutions that we thought might prove useful. The purpose of these ct protocol pages is to provide a reference for radiology residents, fellows and technologists when prescribing a ct examination. In 2010, the alliance for quality computed tomography working group was formed to provide information to ct users that enhances the quality of their ct practice.
Developed and maintained by the american college of radiology acr, triad is an standards based open architecture system that is used for the multicenter clinical trials and other clinical research projects. Whenever i give a lecture or presentation the most commonly asked question is whats your protocol. Acr position statements american college of radiology. Click on a button below to find the articles most relevant to your needs. Advanced diagnostic imaging accreditation effective 1112 in order to bill under medicare part b, imaging centers became accredited in ct, mri, and nuclear medicine. With this new userfriendly system, acr accreditation customers have a single place where they can access all of the accreditation resources they need, plus a helpdesk to submit queries and support requests.
Use and submit a lowdose ct protocol that meets the criteria outlined in the acr society of thoracic radiology practice parameter for the performance and reporting of lung cancer screening thoracic ct. We also enhance the ct protocols with select instructive cases. Scan parameters used in alignment of acr phantom in axial brain protocol. The acr ct accreditation phantom has been designed to examine a broad range of scanner. Acr membership is available to physicians who are certified in a radiological discipline, including nuclear medicine physicians, certified medical physicists and physicians and medical physicists who are practicing a radiological discipline and have completed an approved residency program and are otherwise eligible for membership as well as certain other categories of. The ct accreditation program involves submission of clinical and phantom images, dose measurements and scanning protocols. Ct procedures and guidelines outlined in this document apply to all scanners to be. Outline american college of radiology ct accreditation.
The iac standards and guidelines for ct accreditation. The phantom the acr ct accreditation phantom is a solid phantom containing four modules, and is constructed primarily from a waterequivalent material. Employing these guidelines helps providers enhance quality of care and contribute to the most efficacious use of radiology. The acr offers accreditation programs in ct, mri, breast mri, nuclear medicine and pet as mandated under the medicare improvements for patients and providers act mippa as well as for modalities mandated under the mammography quality standards act mqsa. The membership includes academic and consulting medical physicists who specialize in ct imaging, representatives of each of the major ct scanner manufacturers, and liaisons to the. Acr ct accreditation program and the lung cancer screening program designation. Effective july 1, 2016, acr will discontinue support for browsers that do not meet minimum requirements for transmitting sensitive data.
Complete list of acr practice parameters organized by modality. It outlines ct protocols for diagnostic imaging currently applied to ou ct scanners. Ct body chest colonography prep musculoskeletal neuro pedi protocols. Acr practice parameters and technical standards promote the safe and effective use of diagnostic and therapeutic radiology by describing specific training, skills. Acr accreditation of nuclear medicine and pet imaging departments.
Whatever role you play in caring for children, you can pledge to image gently. If the site applied for adult only accreditation, a pediat ric protocol and dose measurement is not necessary. These documents meet or exceed the requirements of the standards, and they may be used to develop facility policies and reporting forms, whether your facility is seeking accreditation or simply working to standardize or improve current practices. The acr appropriateness criteria ac are evidencebased guidelines to assist referring physicians and other providers in making the most appropriate imaging or treatment decision for a specific clinical condition. Thanksyoure doing a great joband everyone was very friendly and caring. The american college of radiology accreditation overview dina hernandez rtr, qm, ct. All items in bold in the technique parameters and anatomic coverage sections below are required to successfully achieve accreditation. Aapm ct scan protocols the alliance for quality computed. I was really impressed that with three different things, it was scheduled in one day and i was done with all in 45 minutes.
Sample documents mri the iac is pleased to include sample documents to assist facilities in providing quality care to their patients. Any attempt to reproduce, copy, modify, alter or otherwise change or use this document without the express written permission of the american college of radiology is prohibited. The phantom portion of the american college of radiology acr computed tomography ct accreditation program. This document also refers to specific tests and acceptance criteria based on the american college of radiology acr mr accreditation program mr phantom. The dose index registry is a data registry that allows facilities to compare their ct dose indices to regional and national values. The new phantom paradigm douglas pfeiffer, ms, dabr boulder community hospital introduction. In addition to general ct imaging accreditation, the acr has a specific cardiac module, and the iac. Roles and responsibilities oversee qc annual testing technology changesutilization 5 mm, 4i with a 10 mm table increment.
Whether you have a specific question regarding ct accreditation, or need comprehensive information to help you prepare your application, this page will be useful in providing links to all articles relevant to the ct accreditation process. The acr has accredited more than 39,000 facilities in 10 imaging modalities. Acr diagnostic imaging accreditation the physicist role by dina hernandez bsrt, rt r ct qm. We offer accreditation programs in mammography, ct, mri, breast mri, nuclear medicine and pet, ultrasound, breast ultrasound, and stereotactic breast biopsy. Given the rapid evolution of ct technology in the past decade, the number of applications for ct has expanded greatly and the techniques for performing the optimal exam have also increased. Resources accreditation american college of radiology. Earn the acr gold standard in ct accreditation to show that your facility meets the highest quality and safety standards in medical imaging. Confirm that ct techniques for adult head, abdomenpelvis, chest, and pediatric head and pediatric abdomen exams are at or below the reference levels suggested by the acr currently 75, 25, 21, 40, and 20. Accreditation is required for providers that bill for ct under part b of the medicare physician fee schedule. The annual medical physicistmr scientist performance evaluation must include an assessment of the mri safety. Hence, imaging centers became acr accredited to get reimbursed. It seems standards are evolving to be similar to acr accreditation. American college of radiology acrmembership acr get. Acr and american society of neuroradiology statement on ct protocols and radiation dose read more.
The american college of radiology accreditation overview. Acr appropriateness criteria american college of radiology. Akumin and the american college of radiology acr works to maximize. Information related to dose indices for all ct exams is collected, anonymized, transmitted to the acr, and stored in a database. To evaluate image quality the acrct accreditation program was used.
Acr computed tomography quality control manual will be developed in the future. Radiographic standard operating protocols revision 7 active date. Technique parameters anatomic coverage artifacts examination identification. Design an effective qc program incorporating the acr and joint commission requirements. Acr asnrspr practice parameter for the performance of magnetic resonance imaging mri of the pediatric spine res. Lung cancer screening resources american college of. The following documents are radiology protocols for all medical imaging sites at which tra medical imaging is responsible for the administration, quality and interpretation of medical imaging examinations. Practice parameters by modality american college of. Acr ct accreditation program and the lung cancer screening. Either include a screen save of the dose with the images, or enter the dose as displayed by the scanner in the clinical test image data sheet. Our facilities offer the highest quality of care and have been accredited by the acr. Part of the contemporary medical imaging book series cmi.
Missing information examination protocols technique. The ct accreditation program has been modified into a modular format. Compare ct exposures to currently developing diagnostic reference levels drls to compare your protocols to regional and national values. Acr practice parameter for performing and interpreting magnetic resonance imaging mri res. Examination protocols should apply the principle of minimizing radiation doses to as low as reasonably achievable alara. Covid19 guidelines and information for patients and referring physicians. Practice parameters and technical standards american. Acr ct accreditation program dose limits based solely on ctdi vol not dlp two levels. Acr practice parameters and technical standards promote the safe and effective use of diagnostic and therapeutic radiology by describing specific training, skills and techniques. Triad is also employed for the acr s accreditation programs and national radiology data registry. For additional information, see the acr guidance document on mr safe practices, 20 and the acr manual on contrast media.
Radiography imaging standards manual orthopedic msk protocol trauma x protocol. Pediatric head ct open questions how many protocols and at what agesize ranges. The mri accreditation program evaluates staff qualifications, quality control, mr safety policies and image quality. Radiology societies urge president to speed ppe resupply. Accreditation application and evaluation are typically completed within 90 days. Access our collection of lung cancer screening resources with the latest research, information, toolkits and key patient information. Quality control of ct image using american college of radiology. Define how radiation dose from ct units is measured and controlled. The acr accreditation team recently unveiled a new customer support platform to enhance the accreditation experience. For instance, if you are applying for ct accreditation, you must submit copies of your written protocols for the examinations on your application, as. The categories for scoring clinical examinations submitted for acr ct accreditation are. Different members of the imaging team and members of the community play different roles in using the image gently philosophy to ensure that radiology procedures in children are performed in the best way possible. Browse the acr catalog for educational products, online learning, print materials, and coursesmeetings and more.