New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Inspection of Radiological Equipment

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspects hospitals, clinics and other facilities that use radiological equipment such as x-ray units. We examined various aspects of the Department’s inspection process and identified serious weaknesses. For example, while initial inspections and re-inspections in response to violations are required by law to be performed within certain time frames, we found that many inspections and re-inspections were delayed for several months. In addition, even though a number of re-inspections determined that the previous violations had not been corrected, there was no indication that further action had been taken by the Department in these instances. We also determined that, during hospital inspections, Department inspectors sometimes examined fewer of a hospital’s radiological machines than required by Department policy, and may not have provided adequate inspection coverage for the most frequently used machines. We also identified a number of instances in which the Department did not respond effectively or promptly to complaints about radiological machines or machine operators.

For a complete copy of Report 2001-N-9 click here.
For a copy of the 90-day response click here.