The Radiophysicists of the DIVISION OF MEDICAL PHYSICS - RADIATION PHYSICS carry out the quality controls of all ionizing radiation devices, in the context of optimization and quality assurance, are responsible for the dosimetry of employees and patients, supervise compliance with regulations and rules of radiation protection and provide advice on the introduction of new complex techniques and the supply of modern equipment. Together with the Directors of the respective departments, they are responsible to the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (E.E.A.E.) on radiation protection issues.

The MEDICAL PHYSICS - RADIATION PHYSICS DEPARTMENT is fully equiped with numerous dosimetry and quality control instruments, as provided by the current legislation.

The radiophysicists of the Dept. of Medical Physics - Radiophysics actively participate in continuing education processes both as lecturers and teachers. The research interests of the department are mainly oriented towards dosimetry and image processing. The results of the research activities of the department are published in Greek and International Scientific Journals and Conferences.
Every year, Radiophysics Residents are trained as part of their practical training as well as students of the Physics Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

• IN THE RADIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT
  • Organise and supervise quality assurance programmes in the laboratory.
  • Participates in committees for the procurement of new equipment for the laboratory.
  • Organises, supervises and performs quality control programmes aimed at the correct and safe operation and satisfactory performance of radiotherapy systems, dosimetry systems and ancillary equipment.
  • Organise programmes to deal with radiological accidents and emergencies related to radiation protection.
  • Inspects, receives and delivers for clinical use any radiotherapy system after repairs, maintenance or modifications to it.
  • He/she is responsible for the correctness and accuracy of patient dosimetry, calculation of radiation time, dose distribution to the patient and planning of treatment during the application of each radiotherapy regimen decided by the Radiation Therapist.
  • He/she is responsible for the study, design, supervision of the manufacture and application during treatment of radiotherapy accessories (blocks, filters, patient immobilisation components, etc.).
  • Keeps a logbook for each radiotherapy system, as well as for its auxiliary equipment. Update the logbook for each inspection, repair or intervention on the system
  • Ensure that a damage book is maintained and updated for each Radiotherapy system.
  • Keep a record of the dosage of category A and B workers.
  • Organizes and conducts training and education programs for the staff of the laboratory on the physics of radiotherapy and radiation protection.
  • He is responsible for the transport, possession and management of the radioactive sources of the brachytherapy system.
  • Maintain the laboratory's accident and incident record.

   

• IN THE NUCLEAR MEDICINE LABORATORY 
  • Together with the Laboratory Manager, he is co-responsible towards the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) on radiation protection issues and responsible for the compliance with the regulations and rules of radiation protection in the laboratory.
  • Participates in the organisation and supervision of quality assurance programmes and is responsible for the organisation, supervision and execution of quality control of measuring and imaging systems and related ancillary equipment.
  • Participates in committees for the procurement of new equipment for the laboratory.
  • Inspects, receives and delivers for clinical use each imaging and measuring system after necessary adjustments, repairs, modifications or maintenance to it.
  • Is responsible for the management of radioactive sources and radioactive residues. i.e. orders for radioactive materials, preparation of radiopharmaceuticals, record-keeping of imported and exported sources, residue register, etc.
  • Keep a logbook for each imaging and measuring system and its auxiliary equipment. Updates the logbook for each inspection, repair for each inspection, repair or intervention on the system and ensures that a fault book is maintained and updated for each radiology system.
  • Keep a record of the dosage of category A and B workers.
  • Contributes to the definition of the correct physico-technical parameters for diagnostic tests and the therapeutic administration of radionuclides.
  • Organise and carry out programmes to establish Reference Level doses for each diagnostic test and recommend measures to the management or the laboratory manager to minimise doses to subjects.
  • Organises and conducts training and education programmes for the laboratory staff on radiation protection issues.
  • Maintain the record of accidents and incidents.

   

• IN THE RADIOLOGICAL DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY 
  • Advise on the layout of new radiology departments, laboratories or rooms.
  • Prepares the radiation protection studies and safe operation reports required for the issuance, modification and renewal of the operating licence of laboratories.
  • Advises on radiation protection issues whenever needed or requested.
  • Together with the Laboratory Manager, he is co-responsible towards the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) on radiation protection issues and responsible for the compliance with the regulations and rules of radiation protection in the laboratory.
  • Participates in committees for the procurement of new equipment for the laboratory.
  • Participates in the organisation and oversees quality assurance programmes in the laboratory aimed at improving the medical procedures provided, in terms of radiation protection, improving diagnostic information and minimising doses to patients, employees and the public.
  • Propose new methods or modification of existing methods to reduce the dose to workers and optimize imaging.
  • Organizes, supervises and executes quality control programs that aim at the correct and safe operation and satisfactory performance of radiological systems and auxiliary equipment (automatic display units, HardCopycamera, cassettes, intensifying plates, etc.).
  • Inspects, receives and delivers for clinical use each radiology system after necessary adjustments, repairs, modifications or maintenance to it.
  • Keeps a logbook for each radiology system and the auxiliary equipment, which is updated for each inspection, repair or intervention in the system and takes care of the maintenance and updating of the fault book for each radiology system.
  • Keep a record of the dosage of Class A and B workers which shall be signed by the laboratory manager.
  • Helps to determine the correct physico-technical parameters for radiological examinations.
  • Organise and execute programmes to establish ReferenceLevel doses for each radiological examination and recommend measures to the management or the laboratory manager to minimise doses to the subjects.
  • Organises training and education programmes for the staff of the laboratory on radiation protection issues.

Infrastructure

Radiotherapy related

• Treatment Planning System (TREATMENT PLANNING SYSTEM) of the ECPLIPSE type by VARIAN.
• Brachyvision type TREATMENT PLANNING SYSTEM (TREATMENT PLANNING SYSTEM) by VARIAN.
• WATER PHANTOM type 600 of WELLHOFER with two IC-10 ionization chambers.
• WATER PHANTOM (WATER PHANTOM) type CNMC with manual ionization chamber base.
• KEITHLEY Linear Accelerator Beam Dosimeter with two chambers, one of type FG65 for photon beam measurement and one of type Markus for electron beam measurement.
• System for Daily Control of the beam and MU and energy stability of the MULTIDOS type Linear Accelerators of PTW.
• PTW's MULTIDOS in vivo dosimetry system with 20 diodes dedicated for measurements in photon and electron beams, and 2 diodes for measurements in the bladder and intestine when performing intra-abdominal applications.
• AUTIMO-2D Automatic Lead Cutting System of HEK type, with computer and appropriate software.
• MED-TEC ISO-ALIGN Geometric Parameters Checking System for Binding Type ISO-ALIGN.
• MU Daily Control System with CHECKMATE MODEL 1090 instrument of SUN NUCLEAR CORP.

 

Nuclear Medicine related

• SPECT Phantom, Carlson type.
• Bar phantom to determine the spatial discriminatory power.
• Flood Rectangular Phantom 76-801 from Nuclear Associates, suitable for assessing system homogeneity.
• VICTOREEN 450P and Mini Instruments SMARTION type space meters.

 

RadioDiagnosis related

• Multimeter (multimeter) type PIRANHA bearing an RTI R100 chamber, suitable for measurements of a range of parameters of all X-ray diagnostic equipment.
• Radcal type 9010 dosimeter with a series of ionisation chambers.
• Digital instrument for measuring KV and time of classical X-ray diagnostic devices and mammographs made by RMI (multi-function meters).
• Beam alignment and field size control.
• Low and high resolution control instrument for TV image intensifier system and X-ray and radiography beam focusing.
• DAP type dosimeter made by RTI.
• Dummy mammography image quality assessment.
• Components for control of radiotube focus size for HVL determination, radiotube beam size, beam alignment and field size, low and high resolution image intensifier - TV system.
• Set of display control instruments (sensitometer, optical densitometer, thermometer).
• Dummy angiographer image quality control.
• VICTOREEN Type 450P Space Meter.

 

Certifications

During the years 2007-9, the Department of Medical Physics developed its own Quality Management System aiming at continuous improvement and certification according to EN ISO 9001:2000.

In April 2009 the quality management system of the Dept. of Medical Physics - Radiation Physics was certified in the scope of "Operational Support, Quality Control, Computational Methods, Dosimetry, Radiation Protection and Training" according to EN ISO 9001:2000 by the accredited certification body TUV HELLLAS.