Compliance and Quality Control Monitoring of Diagnostic X ray Facilities in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania

Leonid Leopold Nkuba,Pendo Butogwa Nyanda

doi:10.15392/bjrs.v5i2.255

Abstract

The compliance evaluation and quality control measurements on 14 diagnostic X ray units were carried out. The results on legal compliance show that 43 % of X ray facilities operated without or with an expired license. The rest of the centers were new and had already applied for license and others had valid licenses. For basic requirements, the results shows that 57 % of X ray facilities did not have the changing cubicles, 36 % of X ray facilities did not post radiation warning sign and symbols also 64 % of units were found either without protective gear or operated by unqualified personnel. The QC test results showed that 93 % had X-ray tube voltage within the tolerance limit of 10 % and HVL ≥ 2.3 mmAl, at 80 kV was observed in all 14 units whereas 100 % of exposure had acceptable kV reproducibility within the tolerance limit of 5 %. Of the X-ray generators assessed, 86 % had tolerable mAs linearity. 79 % and 93 % had acceptable beam alignment and light beam diaphragm. Of the assessed units, 57 % had tube leakage 10 µSv/hr were recorded at viewing windows, walls and doors of control cubicles and behind the doors of changing cubicles. These dose rates indicating higher health risk to workers and member of public.

Highlights

Since the discovery of X-rays in 1895, the diagnosis through the use of X-ray equipment is one of the most important fields in clinical medicine
Quality-control programs in diagnostic radiology aim to ensure the optimal performance of all imaging components
It is evident that hazards warning light and radiation warning symbols were not available in 22 (38 %) out of 59 X-ray facilities evaluated. This trend is an indication that the principle of as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA-Principle) is not of concern not adopted or practiced in these X-ray facilities of the surveyed hospitals

Summary

Introduction

Since the discovery of X-rays in 1895, the diagnosis through the use of X-ray equipment is one of the most important fields in clinical medicine. The widespread use of X-ray in the diagnosis and management of patients has led to increased radiation exposure. Since quality assurance (QA) programmes ensure high quality diagnostic images with the least possible radiation dose to the patient, all countries have been recommended to introduce programmes for their radiological facilities [2]. Quality-control programs in diagnostic radiology aim to ensure the optimal performance of all imaging components. These programs lead to the production of images with the highest quality and the lowest possible radiation dose to patients, operators and members of public, while maintaining a high diagnostic value to patients. The goal of quality-control programs is to help reduce costs through eliminating unproductive imaging, caused by the inefficiency of devices or materials, which may occur in a complex chain leading to the finished product [3, 4]

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