Quality Meetings

One of IRQN’s activities is to develop an awareness program on quality and safety issues and the role of the IRQN. The possibilities include an IRQN sponsored quality segment in international conferences; web based presentations or dedicated quality conferences. IRQN has participated in a number of conferences since its formation in 2002:

• Future Meetings
• 2008
• Past Meetings
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003

Future Meetings

2008

International Congress in Radiology - Marrakech

The IRQN will participate in the 2008 ICR. It will collaborate with the ISR and host two session on “X-Ray protection: Quality Control in Diagnostic Imaging”. The speakers will include representatives from the IAEA, ICRUM, IRQN and ISRRT.

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Past Meetings

2007

1st ISR Virtual Congress

The First International Society of Radiology Virtual Congress was held between 3rd and 21st December 2007. The IRQN was invited to present a paper on “IRQN’s quality activities”. The organizers successfully applied modern information and telecommunication technologies, enabling the interested parties to access the presentations after the Congress, during 2008, via the ISR Virtual Campus (www.isrvirtual.org). This Virtual Congress has gathered more than 1500 participants from different countries. The IRQN wishes to thank the Organizing and Scientific Committees for their invitation and to congratulate them for the innovative and successful event.

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2006

IRQN presentation - 2006 Asian Oceanian Congress of Radiology, Hong Kong

Professor Lilian Leong, President of the 11th Asian Oceanian Congress of Radiology invited the IRQN to participate in the 2006 AOCR. The theme was 'From Nano to Cosmos'. The IRQN Chairman represented the network and delivered papers on 'The International Radiology Quality Network' and 'A Continuum of Quality in Radiology.

IRQN Quality Session - 2006 ICR, Cape Town

Dr. Jan Labuscagne, Convenor of the 24th International Congress of Radiology invited the network to host an IRQN Quality Session as part of the 'African Symposium'. Four papers focusing in the quality agenda of the organisations were presented by IRQN members: ACR by Dr. Jim Borgstede, ISRRT by Mr. Robert George, EAR by Professor Iain McCall and IRQN by Dr. Lawrence Lau. Judging by the number of delegates present and the questions asked, there is an increasing awareness and interest on quality and safety issues in radiology.

IRQN Plenary Presentation - 2006 IAEA QANTRM Conference, Vienna

In November 2006 the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) hosted a multidisciplinary conference: Quality Assurance and New Techniques in Radiation Medicine (QANTRM) in Vienna. The Chairman represented the IRQN and delivered a paper on 'A Continuum of Quality in Radiation Medicine' in a plenary session. Over 500 delegates from 68 countries attended the 24 sessions covering diagnostic imaging, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine and radiation physics. The collaborators include AAPM, ASTRO, EANM, IOPM, AFOMP, ALATRO, EFOMP, ESTRO, ICRU, IRQN, PAHO, UNSCEAR, WFNMB and WHO.

Topics include improving quality, optimizing practice and reducing risk in radiation imaging and treatment. A special session was devoted to the technology gap as relevant to the needs of developing countries using radiation medicine. Multidisciplinary issues such as education, training, telemedicine and data management were also discussed. Despite the different disciplines covered, there are many similar themes and issues: e.g. quality assurance measures, quality standards and accreditation.

Quality outcomes should be defined. A collaborative approach should be adopted to share lessons learnt, to save resources and to improve outcomes. Reducing inappropriate utilisation should be considered as an integral element of exposure reduction. A holistic approach to quality and system sustainability should be adopted by employing the best and affordable quality applicable for a particular country. An expert was assigned to summarise the highlights of each session. These points were discussed in a concluding plenary session.

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2005

EAR / IRQN Special Focus Session - 2005 ECR, Vienna

Following the discussions with the European Association of Radiology and the European Congress of Radiology, the IRQN was invited to participate in a Special Focus Session during the 2005 ECR on 'Teleradiology - Threat or Opportunity'. The session covered perspectives on teleradiology services, standards and guidelines as well as the potential role of IRQN and ISR in developing international consensus standards.

IRQN presentation - 2005 Management in Radiology Conference, Copenhagen

The Chairman presented a paper on the background and current activities of the IRQN.

IRQN Special Focus Session - 2005 RSNA, Chicago

A Special Focus Session on 'International Teleradiology' was presented at 2005 RSNA focusing on the role, practice and impact of clinical teleradiology in Europe and the USA; the importance of quality standards and the need for uniform international guidelines and technical standards.

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2004

IRQN / ACR Special Focus Session - 2004 RSNA, Chicago

A Special Focus Session on 'Securing our future by appropriate risk management' was presented at the 2004 RSNA by IRQN / ACR. The session was led by Professors Amis, Leong, McCall and Assoc Prof Lau. Although the number in attendance was relatively small, the presentation had been well-received.

IRQN presentation to the Executive Committee of the International Society of Radiology - ICR, Montreal

The Chairman attended the 2004 ICR and made presentations on the work of IRQN to the Executive Committee of the ISR. It was agreed that the ISR and IRQN should develop a link between the two organisations.

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2003

RANZCR / IRQN Quality Improvement in Radiology Conference - Melbourne

The RANZCR and IRQN jointly held a Quality Improvement in Radiology Conference in Melbourne, Australia in July 2003. The IRQN was represented by Ms. Pam Wilcox of the ACR, A/Professor Lilian Leong of the AOSR, Professor Iain McCall of the EAR and A/Professor Lawrence Lau of The RANZCR.

The Conference was well attended with representatives from radiology and medical imaging organisations, imaging practices, consumer group, government agencies, professional bodies, medical defence organisations, and quality and accreditation bodies. Over 30 papers were delivered including: accreditation standards, quality and accreditation programs, quality initiatives, credentialing and joint programs for the various modalities and the hurdles and challenges. These papers covered local accreditation issues as well as international trends.

A highlight of this conference was a competition on the papers related to quality improvement activities in radiology practices. The organisers believed that such a competition would promote an awareness of the importance of quality control, quality assurance and quality improvement in the workplace and facilitate a cultural change in the day to day work.

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