The Acceptance Test is done in accordance with the IEC standard 61223-3-2 resp. the Draft German Standard 6868-152 (current version from February 2005). In addition a new test device, the MAMMO-152, is specified in this Draft German Standard.
The constancy test at mammographic X-ray units has to be done according to IEC 61223-2-10.
Performance tests of:
- Optical density
- Artifacts
- High contrast resolution
- Geometric characteristics of the radiation beam
have to be done quarterly or every six months. Additionally the compression device, the mammographic cassettes and intensifying screens must be checked regularly.
The German standard 6868-7, which sets out the rules for carrying out the constancy test, were published in April 2004 and conforms as far as possible with the requirements set out in the
“European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Mammography Screening”, a recommendation of the European Union. The Test Device MAMMO-152 was also used for the constancy test in these Guidelines.
The German Standard 6868-7 differentiates for the user:
- daily
- weekly and
- onthly tests
In addition, a comprehensive yearly test is called for. The following test parameters have to be checked:
Quality Assurance in digital mammography is performed with the aid of a test device designed in accordance with a so called PAS (Publicly Available Specification). These results out of work done in standardization but which has not yet been released as a standard. The current PAS was published by the Beuth-Verlag in March 2005. Here, a new Quality Assurance test device for digital Mammography – PAS 1054 - is described, the use of which is obligatory in Germany and which is available from IBA Dosimetry. (Please see the following page)
Also the test device MAMMO AT can be used for Quality Assurance in digital mammography.