Determination of Diagnostic X-Ray Quality Control Parameters in Some Selected Hospitals in Benue State-Nigeria

Abstract

This research work is aimed at determining the Quality Control and Status of diagnostic X-ray machines and to also ensure that a high Quality diagnostic image is produced with minimum radiation dose administered to the patients in all the X-ray units. The Quality Control Assessment of the diagnostic X-ray Machines were successfully carried out using Radiologic/Fluoroscopic kit, model Gammex 184D, in Some Radiological Departments in Benue State. Five X-ray machines in the radiology departments were monitored and the Hospitals were abbreviated as Hospitals H-1, H-2, H-5. Four Quality Control Test Tools were employed in this research work, and they include; Tube Potential (kVp) Accuracy, Tube output consistency, Tube Filtration (Half Value Layer) and Focal Spot Size. Tube output consistency test carried out on the five X-ray machines shows that only two X-ray machines are within the set gradient coefficient standard of 2.5 as recommended by National Centre for Devices and Radiological Health (NCDHR), tube potential(kVp) accuracy test indicates that most of the X-ray machines have values well beyond and below the recommended standard of 5.0%as recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The measured tube filtration (half value layer) on the various machines are in good agreement with the recommended minimum value of 2.3mmAl at 80kVp except one of the machine which has a measured value of 0.82mmAl, and this could lead to overexposure of low level radiation to a patient. Finally, the focal spot sizes of the X-ray machines were within a range of 0.8mm to 1.5mm with magnification not more than 1.33 as recommended by FDA. This quality control tests are to ensure that exposure to radiation from X-ray machines is justified and optimized in keeping with the ALARA principle.