Quality control of ultrasound transducers: analysis of evaluation parameters and results of a survey of 116 transducers in a single hospital.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a quality control programme for ultrasound equipment and assess equipment performance at a single hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested 116 transducers by means of a phantom; ultrasound quality control tests were done on parameters from B-mode images, and each parameter was rated according to a three-point score as good, sufficient or poor. RESULTS: Surface transducers showed worse performance in terms of image uniformity, with 7/55 (13%) transducers rated poor, and depth of penetration, with 24/55 (44%) transducers, rated sufficient or poor. The 3.5-MHz transducers showed worse performance in lateral resolution, with 18/48 (38%) rated poor, and particularly in focusing, with 40/48 (83%) classified as poor. In addition, the 3.5-MHz transducers proved less accurate in vertical distance accuracy than in horizontal distance, with 31/48 (64%) considered sufficient. No significant geometric distortions of masses were identified, although 4/116 (3%) transducers failed to visualise two masses. CONCLUSIONS: The first goal of an ultrasound quality control programme is to establish specific parameters to evaluate equipment performance and, should results be below recommended action levels, implement corrective measures.