Revision History
There are three portions to your ACR CT Accreditation submission:
Annual System Performance Evaluation Summary
Clinical Testing
Phantom Testing
To achieve ACR CT accreditation, a CT unit must pass both the clinical and phantom image quality tests.
You must utilize the services of a qualified medical physicist (QMP) for the Annual System Performance Evaluation, oversight of your facility’s technologist quality control (QC) program and the dosimetry portion of your phantom testing.
The QMP for all sites applying for accreditation, initial or renewal, must demonstrate compliance with the ACR requirements for quality control and Annual System Performance Evaluation or Acceptance Testing Evaluation (for new units or following major repairs) as outlined in the CT Quality Control Manual. The ACR strongly recommends using the services of a qualified medical physicist for the image quality control portion of your phantom submission.
After your new or renewal application is processed, an online testing packet will be activated which will contain all clinical and phantom data forms required for accreditation review. Your facility will receive an email with a link to the online testing packet as well as a link to the electronic PDF version of the CT Quality Control Manual. Your facility user must log into the account and fill out all forms required in the online Testing Package. The testing packet must be submitted online. For your convenience, the CT Clinical Data Form is attached below.
The online testing packet has the image submission due date, 45 calendar days from the online testing packet link was emailed to the facility. You must collect your test images and submit the testing packet by that date. Failure to meet this due date will jeopardize completion of your accreditation. Thus, if your facility is renewing its accreditation, we cannot guarantee completion in a timely fashion before your ACR accreditation certificate expires. If your site cannot submit the required materials by your testing package due date, contact the ACR immediately.
Prior to submission, your supervising physician should ensure that all of your facility’s protocols meet the minimum requirements listed in the Clinical Image Testing.
If it is determined you need to change exams the change request must be submitted as a support ticket request before submitting your testing package. There, you may select the topic/category of exam change, fill out the modality ID number and unit (if applicable) and specify the exam or module you wish to add, remove or change. You will be contacted once the change is complete to upload and submit your testing package.
When selecting images for submission, you must be aware of the following:
Your supervising physician should review all materials submitted for accreditation.
Choose examples of your best work.
Submit localizer or scout sequences with all examinations with cross-reference locations.
Upload primary reconstructed images used for diagnostic interpretation; include the scout(s) and dose report. Do NOT submit the sagittal, coronal and extra thin images unless specifically listed under required series.
The submission of examinations performed on models or volunteers is strictly prohibited and may jeopardize accreditation.
The submitted examinations should demonstrate as little pathology as possible. The purpose of the accreditation evaluation is to review the quality of the practice of CT at applicant facilities and not to comment on abnormal findings. The ACR is not responsible for clinical findings shown on the studies.
Images submitted for each individual examination must be from the same patient (i.e. all brain images must be from the same brain examination).
All clinical and phantom examinations submitted must have been performed within 6 months of the date on the testing package that was released to the facility. No images will be accepted for review that predate this date by more than six months.
Up to four specified phantom scans and corresponding dosimetric data may be required depending on the facility’s use of the unit and the clinical modules and patient type chosen in the accreditation application for each unit.
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