On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Addresses poor images or artifacts caused by detector condition, positioning, technique, contamination, processing, movement, or environmental factors.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient From Repeat Exposure
Do not repeatedly expose a patient while investigating image quality. If diagnostic images cannot be obtained reliably, use another verified system.
Retain representative problem images when allowed by facility procedure.
Expected outcome: Repeat radiation exposure is minimized and evidence of the reported artifact is preserved.
2. Characterize the Image Problem
Determine whether the complaint involves lines, bands, spots, nonuniformity, clipping, excessive noise, blur, incorrect brightness, missing image areas, or a recurring location-specific artifact.
Determine whether the issue affects all studies, one detector, one exam type, or one location.
Expected outcome: The artifact is consistently described and narrowed to a useful pattern.
3. Inspect the Detector Surface
Inspect the detector for contamination, adhesive residue, fluid, protective-cover damage, impact damage, or foreign material.
Clean only according to approved methods.
Expected outcome: The detector surface is clean and undamaged. If removal of external contamination eliminates the artifact during approved verification, troubleshooting can stop.
4. Check Positioning and External Objects
Review the imaging setup for bedding, monitoring leads, jewelry, support devices, grid misalignment, detector covers, or other objects that could appear in the image.
Expected outcome: No unintended objects or positioning problems are present in the imaging field. If correcting setup removes the artifact, verify and stop.
5. Verify Technique and Exam Selection
Confirm the selected exam and technique settings are appropriate for the intended test condition without altering protected protocols.
Compare the reported problem with another equivalent study or test image when available.
Expected outcome: Poor quality is not explained by an incorrect exam selection or obvious operator-accessible setting.
6. Check for Motion-Related Blur
If images are blurred, evaluate whether patient motion, detector movement, tube movement, or instability of the mobile unit could explain the finding.
Check brakes and positioning stability.
Expected outcome: The system remains mechanically stable during image acquisition. If stability correction eliminates the problem, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
7. Compare With a Known-Good Detector When Available
If multiple compatible detectors are approved for the system, compare image quality using a known-good detector and an appropriate test object.
Expected outcome: The artifact follows the original detector or remains with the system, helping isolate the source without unnecessary disassembly.
8. Review Calibration or Correction Status
Confirm that required operator-accessible calibration or quality-control functions are current and successfully completed according to approved facility and manufacturer procedures.
Do not initiate undocumented service calibrations.
Expected outcome: Required quality-control functions pass. A failed calibration should be addressed as a calibration or service issue rather than masked by repeated patient imaging.
9. Perform Controlled Image-Quality Verification
Use an approved test object or phantom and the appropriate facility procedure to evaluate image consistency after correction.
Expected outcome: Test images are free of the reported artifact and meet applicable acceptance criteria. If so, the system may be returned to service.
If the Problem Persists
If detector condition, positioning, external objects, technique selection, movement, known-good comparisons, and routine calibration status have been checked, common external causes have been ruled out.
Possible remaining categories include detector defects, image-processing faults, acquisition electronics, calibration data, generator output, internal communication, or software problems.
The affected equipment should be:
- Removed from service when image quality could affect diagnosis.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation.
- Evaluated using appropriate Samsung Healthcare documentation and approved imaging test equipment.
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel.
Complete applicable image-quality and radiation-performance testing before clinical release.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Preserve a representative artifact image whenever possible; the artifact pattern often provides more useful diagnostic information than a verbal description.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Radiology staff reported a recurring linear artifact on images acquired with the GM85 Fit."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found residue on the detector surface in the same location as the reported artifact."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering cleaned the detector using the approved method, performed test imaging, and verified the artifact was no longer present before returning the detector to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Type and location of artifact
- Whether all studies are affected
- Detector used
- Exam selection
- Positioning conditions
- External objects identified
- Detector surface condition
- Known-good detector comparison
- Calibration or QC result
- Test-image result after correction
Final Thought
Image-quality troubleshooting should protect patients from unnecessary repeat exposure, verify simple detector and positioning causes first, use controlled comparison testing, and escalate when diagnostic reliability remains uncertain.
That is successful troubleshooting.