Washington, D.C. – The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), today announced the publication of an amendment to interventional X-ray standard XR 27, X-ray Equipment for Interventional Procedures User Quality Control Mode. XR 27 Amendment 1 will help imaging facilities conduct quality testing and monitoring of mobile X-ray equipment used for interventional procedures.

“The publication of XR 27 Amendment 1 is another example of the medical imaging industry’s collaboration with community partners to add to our existing set of robust safety standards,” said Gail Rodriguez, executive director, MITA. “By extending and applying quality-control measures for fixed interventional X-ray equipment to mobile interventional equipment, XR 27 Amendment 1 further enhances patient safety. MITA is pleased to once again work with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, the Food and Drug Administration, Image Gently and Image Wisely on this important standard.”

The XR 27 Amendment 1 standard will aid qualified medical physicists to validate mobile interventional X-ray equipment by providing an essential set of equipment controls and quality tools. Quality control user interfaces will provide controlled access for X-ray dose-related constancy testing, access to and export of imaging data, electronic documentation of dose-related parameters in exam protocols and direct access to radiation dose structured reports.

Earlier this month, MITA published another standard, NEMA’s XR 28 Supplemental Requirements for User Information and System Function Related to Dose in Computed Tomography (CT), which requires that all CT equipment include information on how operators can optimize and reduce radiation levels when performing CT scans. The standard ensures that operators have all of the information necessary to maintain image quality and adjust dose levels based on patients’ individual needs.

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The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of NEMA, is the collective voice of medical imaging equipment, radiation therapy and radiopharmaceutical manufacturers, innovators and product developers. It represents companies whose sales comprise more than 90 percent of the global market for medical imaging technology and radiation therapy. For more information, visit www.medicalimaging.org. Follow MITA on Twitter @MITAToday.