For healthcare providers regarding the possibility to participate in a project to map quality compliance in CT workplaces

The requirement of harmonisation, screening and evaluation of radiological procedures by means of systematic independent inspections of radiological sites is enshrined in European Directive 159/2009 (European Commission Guidelines on Clinical Audits for Medical Radiological Practices), more substantiated in the European Directive 2013/59/EURATOM, which is currently implemented in Slovak legislation with effect from 1.1.2018.

Project objectives

Computing tomography provides significantly more information than other imaging methods of radiodiagnostics and provides huge benefits for the diagnosis of internal diseases, cancer monitoring and more detachable fulfilment of the expected criteria for diagnosis. CT devices are increasingly sophisticated, but at the same time represent the greatest contribution to the exposure of the population from artificial radiation sources. The need for optimisation and harmonisation of investigational radiological procedures, strict compliance with the technological level of CT examinations and comparability with validated radiological standards, at the lowest dose absorbed, are the main objectives of the work of control groups. The inclusion of the workplace starts with the completion of the attached input questionnaire.

Entry questionnaire

The reply can be submitted by 15 August 2016. The questionnaire is annexed to this Communication.

Method of submission of the input questionnaire

The healthcare provider, i.e. the radiodiagnostic workplace of computer tomography, will submit a reply to the initial questionnaire in a written version in the Slovak language, 1 times the original, signed by the Director, or by the statutory authority, or by an expert representative responsible for the management of the workplace.

Completed input questionnaire is submitted by registered mail or personally, or by courier, so that it is delivered to the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic by 15 August 2016 at the latest. If the questionnaire is submitted in person, it will be submitted in the mailroom of the Ministry of Health, Limbová 2, 837 52 Bratislava, ground floor, No. door 5.

Deliver the completed input questionnaire in a sealed envelope visibly marked: A questionnaire input to evaluate the quality of the computer tomography (CT) workplace Don't let go!

Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic
Health Section, Health Care Department
Limba 2
837 52 Bratislava

Envelopes delivered and registered by the owner of MZ SR after the deadline will be evaluated additionally.

The deadline for evaluation of the input questionnaires is 15 September 2016 inclusive.

The evaluation body shall be a temporary expert working group. Its composition and activities are governed by the Statute of the Commission of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic for Quality Assurance in Radiodiagnostic, Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, published in the Journal of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic of 27 May 2015, Volume 63, Volume 2-3.

The CT diagnostic workplaces will be informed in writing about the evaluation of the input questionnaires. Based on the evaluated input questionnaires, a temporary expert working group recommending or not recommending a CT diagnostic laboratory for subsequent quality control. From CT diagnostic sites which will have a recommendation for follow-up to quality control, the Interim Expert Working Group will set up a "Plan of inspections for 2016" to be approved by the Commission. The control plan for 2016 will be published on the Ministry's website.

List of CT diagnostic workplaces that meet the first and second parts of the quality compliance mapping will be published on the website of the Ministry and Slovak Radiological Society. The results of the checks will be presented to health insurance representatives for their consideration when contracting the workplace.