Determination of Some Quality Control Parameters of X-Ray Machines used for Radiological Examinations in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, the determination of some quality control parameters of x-ray machines used for radiological examinations in North Central Nigeria is presented. The research aims to investigate Quality Control status of diagnostic X-ray machines at five X-ray units and to compare the measured values with the relevant acceptable limits. Quality Control parameters assessed include, kVp Accuracy, kVp Reproducibility, Tube Output Consistency with kVp, mA Reciprocity of five diagnostic X-ray machines located at the X-ray units
indicated as HA, HB, HC, HD and HE. The parameters were determined using Gammex Radiologic / fluoroscopic kits model Gammex184D, and Kodak & Agfa X-ray films. The result indicates that the kVp Accuracy in Hc and HD were within limit of ±5%. For kVp reproducibility test,HA, HB and HD have Coefficient Variance values out of the tolerance limit of ±5%with the maximum CV of 32.33% recorded at HA and
minimum of 0.537% at HE. The tube output consistency with kVp shows that HB, HC, HD and HE were within acceptable limit of gradient between 2 to 2.5 and hence passed the assessment test. For mA reciprocity variance test, all the hospitals pass the test with HE having the minimum value of 3.93% and maximum of 9.89% at HB which were within the tolerance limit of ±10%. Findings from this study showed that none of the x-ray machines passed all the quality control tests due to variations in the test parameters assessed and as such confirms the need to control the quality of the physical parameters of the diagnostic x-ray units in order to detect malfunctions that poses a threat to patient’s health.