Q: How often should the QA be performed?
A: Ideally it should be performed daily, even if there are no patients. The result should be plotted and the graph viewed for evidence of any drifts or shifts, which could indicate a problem with the scanner. It should always be performed if there are patients booked on that day. The windows software does not allow you to perform a scan without a current QA.

Q: Which scan mode should I use?
A: Use the recommended default scan mode for your system. However if the patient is obese then a slower scan mode is recommended.

Q: Should I be scanning both hips?
A: This is your choice and dependent on your protocol. It has been suggested ( by the centres which are doing this) that by having both hips at baseline, then if the patient has a prosthesis in the future, you then have the other hip at which to measure rate of change

Q: Which hip should I scan?
A: Again, this is your choice. If you are in a small room you may want to scan the hip furthest away from you because of the radiation factor. You may choose the side that is most easily accessed. You may want to choose the ?non dominant? hip. However, determining which is the dominant hip is still open to discussion.

Q: If I scan the right hip mistakenly under Left hip, can I analyse this?
A: No

Q: Can I move a patient?s scan, if scanned under the wrong name, to the correct name?
A: Yes. In the windows software this is easily done through the ?utilities? option

Q: When performing IVA should I acquire a PA as well as a lateral?
A: This is the choice of your reporting clinician. However, further information can be obtained from a PA view, eg. Segmentation, evidence of scoliosis, lateral wedging and other factors, which may help interpret the lateral. The PA is single energy, low dose and only takes @10secs.

Q: Why should I archive and why store archived data separately?
A: It is recommended that scans be archived daily and the database weekly. If you were to have a problem with your computer, or if you have any fire or theft you could loose your data. This may sound unlikely but it has happened. Storing in a separate room ensures you do not loose your archived data.

Contact Anne Stapleton
Email Apps@vertec.co.uk Office: 0118 9817431
Mobile: 07919 048031 Fax: 01709 760656