[Intl_DxMedPhys] [External] Re: OEC 3D C-arm Testing

[Steven LaFontaine]

Steve,

I see, it sounds like you are already recommending common-sense solutions.
I checked the manual and could not find anything, except running basic
mechanical checks (brakes, etc), electrical checks (cables, etc) and
testing the emergency stop after transport.

I can send the manual, or relevant section, if needed.  I think if the tech
cannot provide a reference, or valid radiation safety concern, there is no
valid excuse to not use the unit.

Steven

On Mon, Aug 24, 2026 at 12:15 PM Steuterman, Stephen <
Steuterman.Stephen at scrippshealth.org> wrote:

> Thanks to all who responded.
>
>
>
> As Steven mentioned in California, we are required to do weekly
> fluoroscopy checks evaluating kVp & mA, against a baseline determined at
> the last physicist test.  That is all I usually require if a C-arm is
> transported.  The FSE told the tech other testing is required per the
> manual, but I can’t locate it the manual and he wasn’t able to give me the
> section in the user manual referencing that requirement or the tests that
> are required.  This causes the tech to pretty much refuse to use the unit,
> even when the sites leadership told her I did the full annual testing on
> the unit.    I did a full test on the C-arm the other day and my
> measurements were almost identical to when I tested it in March.
>
>
>
> My concern is FSE telling the staff it isn’t safe to use, and then not
> giving any references as to why.
>
>
>
>
>
> Steve
>
>
>
> Stephen Steuterman, M.S.
>
> Director of Medical Physics & Radiation Safety
>
> System-Wide Radiation Safety Officer
>
>
>
> Scripps Clinic Green Hospital
>
> 10666 N. Torrey Pines Road
>
> Mail Drop: MS-124
>
> La Jolla, CA 92037
>
>
>
> 619-260-7283 (Mercy SD Office)
>
> 858-554-5010 (Green office)
>
> 619-709-1546 (cell)
>
>
>
> Steuterman.Stephen at scrippshealth.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <
> intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list-bounces at lists.osu.edu> *On Behalf Of *Steven
> LaFontaine via Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list
> *Sent:* Monday, August 24, 2026 10:55 AM
> *To:* Gary <garyi at paxradia.com>
> *Cc:* Bob Kobistek via Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <
> intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu>
> *Subject:* [External] Re: [Intl_DxMedPhys] OEC 3D C-arm Testing
>
>
>
> *[EXTERNAL EMAIL]* DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize
> the sender and know the content is safe.
>
> Steve, I have not heard of this being an issue as well, but I imagine in
> CA the tech could always perform the State required weekly QC after
> transport and delivery for peace of mind. For those unaware, a phantom,
> likely a metal plate, is imaged,
>
> Steve,
>
>
>
> I have not heard of this being an issue as well, but I imagine in CA the
> tech could always perform the State required weekly QC after transport and
> delivery for peace of mind.
>
>
>
> For those unaware, a phantom, likely a metal plate, is imaged, and the kV
> amd mA must be within a certain range, given by a dose ratio calculation
> against a baseline (i.e. kV^2 * mA). For those who don't want to do a
> clunky calculation, the units report dose rate. The idea is for the dose
> rate to be within 25% of a baseline.
>
>
>
> Steven
>
>
>
> Steven M. LaFontaine, M.S., DABR
> Certified Medical Physicist
> Therapy Physics, Inc.
>
> 2501 Cherry Ave, Suite #270
>
> Signal Hill, CA 90755
>
> 562-317-0650 (office)
> 310-720-5899 (cell)
> Steven at therapyphysics.com
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 22, 2026, 5:09 PM Gary via Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <
> intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu> wrote:
>
> Excellent point.  After all, it is portable.
> OTOH, all that packing moving and unpacking is bound to jiggle something.
> Might be smart for the RSO of that outfit to require some basic daily QC
> before clinical use.
>
>
> ---
> Thanks,
> Gary Isenhower, MS
>
>
> On Sat, 22 Aug 2026 19:22:46 +0000, Bob Kobistek via
> Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu>
> wrote:
>
> >One of my clients is a mobile lithotripsy company. They have 9 units
> >that go out every day in the Northeast Ohio area. The units are
> >brought into the client hospital’s surgery department, not left on the
> >truck. At the end of the workday, the units are returned to the
> >warehouse and readied for the next day. It would be totally
> >impractical for them to have a physicist follow each of those units
> >every day. We have to weigh the cost against the benefit.
> >
> >
> >Robert J. Kobistek, MS, FACR, DABR, MRSE(MRSC™)
> >Medical Physicist
> >RJK Medical Physics, Inc.
> >440-463-7879
> >
> >From: Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list
> ><intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list-bounces+bob=rjkmedphys.com at lists.osu.edu>
> >On Behalf Of Nicole Ranger via Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list Sent:
> >Saturday, August 22, 2026 10:44 AM To: Stephen Steuterman
> ><Steuterman.Stephen at scrippshealth.org> Cc: DxMedPhys List
> ><intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu> Subject: Re:
> >[Intl_DxMedPhys] OEC 3D C-arm Testing
> >
> >My policy at a former facility in WI was that a portable device
> >transported within the facility only had annual testing but if that
> >device was transported offsite, it needed to be tested before use at
> >that new location. A device in a permanently My policy at a former
> >facility in WI was that a portable device transported within the
> >facility only had annual testing but if that device was transported
> >offsite, it needed to be tested before use at that new location.  A
> >device in a permanently fixed and secured position in a truck and
> >operated at a new location, would be different though arguably one
> >might want to perform more daily QC testing.
> >
> >Nicole
> >
> >
> >Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >
> >On Aug 21, 2026, at 1:23 PM, Steuterman, Stephen via
> >Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list
> ><intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu<mailto:
> intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu>>
> >wrote:  Hello all, Portable C-arms are transported to multiple
> >locations frequently by lithotripsy companies. Typically, they have
> >their annual physicist testing, and I don't believe they do any
> >additional testing after each move. Are there different Hello all,
> >
> >
> >Portable C-arms are transported to multiple locations frequently by
> >lithotripsy companies.  Typically, they have their annual physicist
> >testing, and I don't believe they do any additional testing after each
> >move.   Are there different requirements for a 3D C-arm?  I have a
> >friend at an imaging center, who has a tech who wouldn't use a OEC 3D
> >C-arm after it was returned from another location.    The tech said
> >the FSE told her a EPE eval was required after transport and prior to
> >patient use.   I wasn't able to find that requirement in the user's
> >manual, and the FSE didn't give me the reference either.
> >
> >Do you do a full physicist test every time the 3D C-arm is transported?
> >
> >Thanks
> >
> >Steve
> >
> >
> >Stephen Steuterman, M.S.
> >
> >Director of Medical Physics & Radiation Safety
> >
> >System-Wide Radiation Safety Officer
> >
> >
> >
> >619-709-1546 (cell)
> >
> >
> >
> >Steuterman.Stephen at scrippshealth.org<mailto:
> Steuterman.Stephen at scrippshealth.org>
> >
> >
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-- 
Steven M. LaFontaine, M.S., DABR
Certified Medical Physicist
Therapy Physics, Inc.
2501 Cherry Ave, Suite #270
Signal Hill, CA 90755
562-317-0650 (office)
310-720-5899 (cell)
Steven at therapyphysics.com
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