[Quality assurance in roentgen diagnosis. Comparison of constancy test methods according to DIN and IEC and practical consequences in Germany]. / Qualitätssicherung in der Röntgendiagnostik. Vergleich der Konstanzprüfmethoden gemäss DIN und IEC und praktische Konsequenzen in Deutschland.

Since 1987 constancy tests for X-ray imaging equipment are required by the German Röntgenordinance and are performed according to the DIN 6868 standards. On an international level, standards for these tests have been developed by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC 1223 series); however, these standards have so far not been applied in nation-wide quality programmes in any country. Typical aspects of both, DIN and IEC standards, are demonstrated for direct radiography and indirect radioscopy and indirect radiography as examples. DIN standards optimise test procedures for minimum effort and cost efficiency designed for execution even in small hospitals and practices by the users. For each type of x-ray equipment tests are performed with only one universal test device, which is precisely specified and independent of local conditions. Oplimisation is misation is missing for IEC test procedures; they are designed for more performance characteristics and need for each x-ray equipment more individual test devices, which are mostly open for local choice and need a considerably higher effort in respect of time consumption and test films compared to DIN. Adoption of the IEC standards for the constancy tests in Germany would involve considerable financial and organisational effort which is probably not counterbalanced by an increased benefit.

[A debatable issue: indications for the selection and use of absorber materials]. / Im Streitgespräch: Absorbermaterialien Hinweise zur Auswahl und zum Einsatz.

In response to the present occasion, the areas of application of different radiation-absorbent test device materials used in practice are presented in an overview. The test methods recommended for acceptance and constancy testing, the absorbers suitable for this as well as the dependence of a few test parameters relevant to image quality and their tolerances regarding the absorber material are described. The test results are verified and it is shown that in the use of technical test devices, unusually high dose tolerances or high densities of the test device exposures, for example, are by all means in agreement with good technically induced medical imaging quality.

[Image quality assurance in x-ray diagnostic units. Information on DIN 6868 standard series]. / Sicherung der Bildqualität in röntgendiagnostischen Betrieben. Informationen zur Normenreihe DIN 6868.

The Working Group for Standardisation justifies and comments on the establishment of a standard series for image quality assurance in X-ray diagnostic services (DIN 6868). In order to promote compliance with these standards, the users are given some background information on the structure of the standard series and on the recommended procedures to be followed. The definitions for the various hierarchically arranged tests, such as constancy test, status test, acceptance test as well as a definition for the term "base-line image quality" are explained.