What is typically monitored for quality assurance in a SPECT system?

Monitoring the uniformity of the gamma camera is critical for quality assurance in a SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) system. This involves ensuring that the camera produces consistent and accurate images across its entire field of view. Uniformity testing helps to identify any discrepancies in the camera’s response to radiation, which can originate from issues such as detector degradation, miscalibration, or malfunctions within the system.

Assessing uniformity typically involves acquiring images of a uniform radioactive source and evaluating the consistency of the detected signal across the image. If variations are detected, this may indicate the need for recalibration or servicing of the system to maintain optimal imaging performance and thus ensure accurate diagnostic evaluations.

While other factors like room temperature, patient throughput, and costs are relevant to the overall operation of a nuclear medicine department, they are not directly part of the technical quality assurance process for the SPECT system itself. Hence, focusing on the camera’s uniformity is vital for producing high-quality diagnostic images essential for patient care.