[Quality assurance measures within DIN 6856: the adaptation of film viewing boxes and their specifications in the radiology department of a university hospital. Deutsche Industrie-Norm].

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to examine the quality and consistency of film viewing equipment and surroundings for radiological film viewing as stipulated by the recently released DIN 6856 standard specifications sheet.

METHODS

107 film viewers in 43 locations in the Department of General Radiology (Hospital of the Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany) were examined with regard to viewer brightness (intrinsic luminous intensity) uniformity of viewbox brightness, colour of fluorescence tubes, dimensions, adjustable filters, positioning of the viewers and ambient light level.

RESULTS

Requirements regarding brightness were met in 70%, whereas conditions regarding uniformity of brightness were fulfilled in only 27% and the required filters in only 20% of all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

89% of the examined film viewboxes did not comply with the strict specifications laid down in DIN 6856. The requirements regarding the ambient light level (recommended range 50-100 lx) were met by only 75% of the examined desks.