You have no items in your shopping cart.
Availability and the use of X-ray equipment in hospitals and diagnostic centers is on the increase today in developed and developing countries. Quality control of such equipment is of particular importance to prevent avoidable high doses, radiation leakages and to ensure dose optimization. The purpose of this study is to determine the current status of diagnostic X-ray machines used in medical facilities in Ilorin, Kwara State. The facilities were assessed by means of a visual checklist thereafter each functional X-ray machine was subjected to Quality control parameters tests.
Four quality control tests were carried out on the X-ray machines. Most of the X-ray machines subjected to QC tests failed one or more tests and yet these were the functional machines in the state. Perpendicularity tests showed unacceptable variation of 40%, half value layer tests showed an unacceptable variation of 40%, kVp accuracy test showed an acceptable variation of 60%. All the X-ray machines tested for congruency passed the test.
Seventy percent of the facilities passed the general facilities observations test that was carried out by means of a visual checklist. 80% of the facilities had no hazard warning light and signs provided at the entrance to the X-ray room. 20% of the facilities had no reference chart for various radiographic exposures and so the radiographer chose the exposure parameters at will. Only 25% of the facilities visited had TLD badges. Since these machines are used on daily basis, this calls for the need to formulate X-ray QC program in our medical facilities to ensure that patients receive the lowest possible radiation risk and maximum health benefits from X-ray examinations.
