With medical treatment being increasingly provided in a filmless environment, the demand is for monitors that can provide a new level of reliability. Under the banner of "Optimum Image, Same Image", EIZO has applied its know-how and extensive experience as a specialist monitor manufacturer to deliver this reliability. The result is exceptionally precise, stable image display that accurately reproduces the original image, and unifies image display between multiple monitors.
Quality control is vital for monitors.
Does monitor quality remain unchanged?
Monitor quality is determined by luminance, grayscale and luminance uniformity characteristics that change slowly over time.
What happens when monitor quality changes?
In a hospital, when viewing two or more monitors side by side or the same image on different monitors during diagnosis, any changes in individual monitor displays or difference between monitors pose a serious problem.
What can be done to maintain monitor quality?
Monitor quality control (QC) is required to detect and take suitable steps to calibrate slight changes in characteristics.
Are there any standards for monitor QC?
Monitor QC assessment and judgment criteria have been standardized and put forward by organizations worldwide such as AAPM, DIN, JIRA, and IEC.
QC Standards
■ AAPM TG18 “Assessment of Display Performance for Medical Systems”
A standard established by task group (TG) 18 of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM).
■ DIN V 6868-57
“Image Quality Assurance in X-Ray Diagnosis - Part 57” established by the Deutsches Institut fur Normung e.V. (DIN). In line with the QS-RL (Qualitatssicherungs-Richtlinie) quality assurance ordinance, it is mandatory in Germany to refer to this standard when conducting monitor quality assurance.
■ PAS 1054
“Requirements and Testing of Digital Mammography Equipment” established by the Normenausschusses Radiologie (DIN NAR) in cooperation with the Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft (DRG) and others. In line with the QS-RL (Qualitatssicherungs-Richtlinie) quality assurance ordinance, it is mandatory in Germany to refer to this standard when conducting monitor quality assurance.
■ IEC 61223-2-5
“Evaluation and Routine Testing in Medical Imaging Departments - Part 2-5” established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
■ IPEM Report 91
“Recommended Standards for the Routine Performance Testing of Diagnostic X-Ray Imaging Systems” established by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM).
■ JESRA X-0093
“Quality Assurance (QA) Guideline for Medical Imaging Display Systems” established by the Japan Industries Association of Radiological Systems (JIRA) in 2005.
■ ACR “Practice Guideline for Determinants of Image Quality in Digital Mammography”
A standard established by the American College of Radiology (ACR) in cooperation with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM).
■ EUREF “European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis”
A standard issued by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Reference Organization for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services (EUREF), and European Breast Cancer Network (EBCN), European Society of Mastology (EUSOMA).
What's required to start utilizing monitor QC?
You need software that can detect changes in monitor characteristics and perform the appropriate calibration timely.