What should be documented when significant calibration drift is detected?

• A. The history of all prior scans
• B. All values from previous assessments
• C. Repeat scan results and service requests
• D. The patient information for all scans

Answer: (C)

When significant calibration drift is detected in bone densitometry, it is essential to document the repeat scan results and any service requests. This documentation is critical because repeat scans provide a direct comparison of results before and after the calibration drift was identified, allowing for an assessment of whether the drift impacted the precision and accuracy of the results.

By documenting service requests, you are also ensuring that there is a record of all actions taken to correct the equipment issues. This can be vital for quality assurance, as it shows that appropriate steps were taken in response to the drift. Additionally, this documentation can help in identifying patterns or recurring issues with the equipment, which can inform future maintenance and calibration practices.

The other options, while important in their own ways, do not provide the specific information needed to address calibration drift. Documenting the history of all prior scans or all values from previous assessments does not directly relate to the handling of the drift; rather, it might contribute to a broader context of diagnostic accuracy. Similarly, patient information is crucial for patient records but does not specifically pertain to the issue of calibration drift. Therefore, focusing on repeat scan results and service requests is the most pertinent action in this situation.