The Medical Physics Group in Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia) was formally established in 1995 with the objectives among others to establish a secondary standard laboratory for calibration of QC test tools used in medical diagnostic radiology. It is also our interest to verify that X-ray machines used in diagnostic radiology are operated at optimum performance to continuously produce good image quality with minimum radiation dose to patient.
The Medical Physics Group provides quality control (QC) services to diagnostic radiological centers including clinics and hospitals throughout the country. Our scope of work covers QC for conventional radiography (including general purpose, mobile and veterinary), dental (including intra-oral, cephalometric and panoramic), fluoroscopy (including mobile and fixed fluoroscopy, angiography and lithotripter), mammography, CT scan (including PET CT), bone densitometer and gamma camera.
The staff members of the Medical Physics Group include two senior research officers, seven research officers and seven technical support personnel. Most of the staffs are recognized and approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Health to perform the above mentioned services.
Core Activities:
Medical Physics Standard Laboratory in Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear
The Medical Physics Calibration Laboratory is the one and only secondary standard laboratory in diagnostic radiology in Malaysia and in the region that provides calibration service for diagnostic radiology equipment. Parameters calibrated include dose, kilovoltage (kV), exposure time, film optical density and sensitometric monitoring. Our reference instruments are traceable to Primary Standard Lab i.e. Physikalish-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) for Standard Radiation Qualities RQR, RQA and RQT. The establishment of standard radiation qualities is based on IEC 61267:2003 and the calibration procedures are in accordance with IAEA s Technical Report Series No. 457:2007. We are gearing-up towards MS ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation.
Medicine Calibration of QC test tools used in Diagnostic Radiology
The Medical Physics Calibration Laboratory is the first and the only facility in the region that offers calibration of all kind of QC test tools used in diagnostic radiology such as dosimeter, kVp meter, exposure timer, densitometer and sensitometer. Our laboratory is equipped with standard measuring instruments that are traceable to international standard laboratories. We have well trained and competent technical staff to carry out the calibration procedures.
Calibration of Dose Calibrator used in Nuclear Medicine Facility
The Medical Physics Group introduced the service on calibration of dose calibrator in 2007. The performance of dose calibrator is evaluated from various aspects such as contamination test, system stability test, accuracy test, constancy test, linearity test, precision test and geometry test. The acceptance criteria for performance checks of dose calibrator are based on the IAEA s Technical Reports Series No.454: 2006.
Quality Control in Diagnostic Radiology
Quality control of X-ray machine is performed to ensure continuous production of diagnostic radiology images with optimum quality at lowest possible cost using minimum necessary dose to patient. Our scope of work covers are general radiography unit (including mobile and veterinary), Dental (including intra-oral, cephalometric and panoramic), Fluoroscopy (mobile & fixed units, angiography and lithotripter), Mammography, Computed Tomography (including PET CT) and Bone densitometer.
Quality Control for Gamma camera
Gamma camera is the main instrument used in diagnostic nuclear medicine. It is essential to ensure that the quality of the examination, level of protection and optimisation of medical exposure is as high as possible. Therefore, a maintenance and quality control test of the equipment should be performed regularly. We have well trained personnel to perform the test and evaluate the results based on NEMA NU1: 2001 and IAEA Tecdoc 602: 1991.
Integrity Testing/Measurement including lead equivalent thickness of protective barriers
Failure in protection or shielding has led to cases of unnecessary radiation exposure to public, staffs and patients. Integrity of X-ray room and protective clothing in term of lead equivalent thickness should be verified periodically to ensure sufficient protection for all concerned. Radiation protection construction/shielding or PPE, which no longer meet the specified criteria, should be replaced or upgraded as soon as possible.
Training and Education in Diagnostic X-Ray for medical staffs
Nuclear Malaysia has years of experience in conducting training courses especially for X-ray operators, radiographers and medical practitioners who provides diagnostic radiological examinations. Details on the training programs can be obtained from our training centre. Nuclear Malaysia also offers shortterm scientific attachments especially for medical physicists, technical staffs and those working in related field. Our well-equipped laboratory, staffed by experienced personnel is very appropriate to acquire hands-on experience and to enhance one s knowledge in this rapidly expanding field.
R&D in Medical Physics
Our research interest covers topics in standardization of radiation measurements and calibration, medical digital radiography, conventional and digital image processing, radiation protection (medical) and optimization of dose to patient in diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine.
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