The Department of Health requires registration of all X-ray machines through the Master Business Licensing service of the Department of Revenue.
The X-Ray Program evaluates darkrooms and film processing, machine performance, image quality, technologist qualifications, operator protection, and - most importantly - patient exposure.
There are more than 6,500 facilities using X-ray machines in Washington.
More information about state regulations is on the WAC - X-Ray page.
Inspections
- Medical X-ray facilities - physicians, clinics, hospitals and chiropractors - are inspected once every two years.
- Mammography facilities are inspected every year.
- All other facilities - dental, podiatry, veterinary, industrial - are inspected once every 3-4 years.
General Outline of the Types of X-Ray Machines Used
- Radiographic systems (dental, podiatry, veterinary, medical, chiropractic)
- Chest radiography
- Panoramic dental
- Intraoral dental
- Cephalometric dental
- Portable and mobile
- Fluoroscopic systems (hospitals, radiologists)
- Heart catheterization and other Special Procedures
- C-arms in surgery
- Upper GI and barium studies
- Mini-C-arms (such as Fluoroscan, OEC and XiScan)
- Mammography
- Linear accelerators (used for cancer therapy)
- Computed Tomography (CAT or CT)
- Cabinet X-ray Systems (such as airport baggage X-ray)
- Diffractometers (research)
- Industrial radiography (pipe welds, circuit board analysis)
- Cyclotrons (industry and research)
- Bone densitometers (X-ray absorptiometry) for detection of osteoporosis