Barco launches cost-saving plug-in tool for effortless compliance with AAPM TG18 softcopy quality control standards
KORTRIJK, BELGIUM, 18 July 2003 – Barco is releasing a new customer-friendly plug-in for its MediCal® QA management software to assist system administrators to make display systems comply with the newly defined AAPM TG18 regulations. The AAPM TG18 plug-in performs automated acceptance tasks and periodic check-ups of softcopy quality, thereby drastically reducing system administrators’ workload and the total lifecycle cost. In combination with Barco’s unique I-Guard® sensor technology, it also performs intervention-free monthly quality checks on all Barco Coronis® display systems.
A random example shows that by using the new AAPM TG18 plug-in, a medical facility with 50 Barco displays can reduce its softcopy QA costs by about 12,000 USD a year. Even on non-Barco displays, the time for monthly Quality Control checks is reduced considerably, resulting in a cost reduction of over 6,000 USD a year.On top of this important cost reduction, Barco’s new AAPM TG18 plug-in offers more accurate test results than the traditional, manual QA approach. Moreover, the AAPM TG18 plug-in allows system administrators to receive automated pdf reports and access all data via the MEDICAL® Administrator web interface. The intuitive interface makes the system very easy to use. This user-friendliness can be an encouragement to get started with softcopy QA for those who have not performed quality control before.
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 18 (AAPM TG18) is a national task force consisting of medical imaging experts and organizational affiliates dealing with performance evaluation of electronic display devices. The purpose of the Task Group is to provide standard guidelines to practicing medical physicists, engineers, researchers and radiologists for the performance evaluation of electronic display devices intended for medical use. It outlines both acceptance testing and quality control.
About Barco
Barco, an international company headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, is active in three key areas of imaging technology. Barco designs and develops solutions for large screen visualization, display solutions for life-critical applications, and systems for visual inspection. Barco has a network of subsidiaries, distributors and agents in almost 100 countries. Barco is quoted on Brussels/Euronext and is a BEL 20 and a Next 150 company.
