West Physics Consulting offers acceptance testing services for the full range of diagnostic imaging
equipment in service today. The acceptance test is a crucial element of an equipment purchase, whether
that equipment is new or used. Our team stands ready to ensure that your facility receives every ounce
of image quality and performance from your important purchase – and we have the experience necessary to
represent your interests as an unbiased third party. Simply put, purchasing an expensive and complex
piece of imaging gear without an independent post-installation test by a qualified third party is like
rolling the dice on future performance… let your vendor knows that their work will be checked by West
Physics and you are assured of the best installation possible.
What exactly is an acceptance test and why do I need one?
Immediately after the installation of a new piece of diagnostic imaging equipment, and (preferably)
prior to its first clinical use, an acceptance test should be performed on the equipment by a medical
physicist. This test is an extremely thorough survey of the equipment and its capabilities, designed
to confirm that the device was installed and set up properly and that it meets all vendor and industry
performance specifications. Our intent in the testing is not to summarily accept or reject the scanner,
but rather to determine whether there are any performance items that should be addressed with the
manufacturer and/or installer before final acceptance of the machine on your part. We work to address
any such items in a collegial fashion with the installers and service engineers in order to ensure that
the scanner meets all manufacturer specifications. In addition, we will perform testing to determine the
machine’s performance relative to industry (i.e., ACR) standards to ensure that the unit will be capable
of meeting those standards when you are ready to have it accredited.
Doesn’t my vendor or the seller perform all kinds of performance tests upon installation?
While some facilities choose to simply rely on the goodwill of the vendor/installer to certify the
proper performance of their equipment, not having an independent and disinterested check on the
performance of highly complex and expensive machinery by a qualified professional is unwise.
Additionally, the cost of such a test is typically fractions of a percent of the purchase price of the
equipment in question, thus constituting a very prudent insurance policy against future operational
problems. By way of analogy, having an acceptance test on newly-installed equipment is akin to employing
an independent home inspector during the purchase of an expensive home.
Is an acceptance test legally required?
Many states require this type of test on newly-installed diagnostic imaging equipment for health and
safety reasons, though you would need to check with your state for specific requirements. As a national
medical physics practice, West Physics maintains familiarity with the various state requirements and we
include all required initial tests (and submit the required forms for you as well) in the acceptance
test. Finally, you can have confidence that our physicists will be licensed and certified in your state.
Can I get my vendor or the seller to pay for the acceptance test?
Many diagnostic imaging facilities negotiate the acceptance test into the actual sale of the machinery
and/or withhold final payment on the device until such time as any performance concerns on the part of
the physicist have been properly resolved. From a business perspective, this arrangement clearly provides
an added incentive for the vendor or third-party installer to execute a meticulous and successful
installation. For the facility planner, it is important to arrange for the acceptance testing as far
ahead of the installation date as possible and to keep the contracted physicist informed of any schedule
changes or other events which may affect the testing.
Please contact us today for a no-obligation quote.
