Abstract
Purpose
This work aimed to conduct Physics Audit of selected diagnostic X-ray machines in Ghana, with the purpose of serving as a pilot study towards establishing a national need to ensure the safe use of radiation in healthcare.
Methods
Analysis of equipment and staffing data and assessment of the X-ray systems’ performance were undertaken in the study. Tests performed on the systems include accuracy, reproducibility, and linearity of the X-ray tube potential, Half-Value Layer (HVL), beam alignment and congruence, tube current linearity, and assessment of entrance surface doses.
Results
All twenty-seven X-ray machines piloted in the project were within tolerances for half-value layer and congruence tests. While a single X-ray system was out-of-tolerance for beam alignment test, 19% were out-of-tolerance for both kVp accuracy and reproducibility. Contrast and spatial resolution tests on the X-ray machines were within tolerance of ± 10%. Mean entrance surface doses estimated for selected body regions ranged from 1.1 mGy for cervical spine anterior-posterior to 6.7 mGy for lumbar spine lateral. None of the radiology centres was found to engage the services of a Medical Physicists at the time.
Conclusions
Analyzed data from the pilot study has presented experiences to guide implementation of the audit project at national level. This is the first of such audit study performed in Ghana and West Africa sub-region.
Significance
• The audit aims to make significant contributions for improving radiological safety of patients in the diagnostic X-ray installations in the country.
• The study pilots implementation of a national dosimetry audit programme.
• Physics audit ensures maintenance of total quality management through quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) programmes in the diagnostic X-ray facilities.
• The study presents data that can be benchmarked with further physics audit work to be implemented nationally.
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Data availability
The data that was used to prepare the manuscript is available upon request.
Code Availability
Not applicable.
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Sosu, E.K., Boadu, M., Hasford, F. et al. Physics audit of selected diagnostic X-Ray machines in Ghana: towards implementation of a national dosimetry audit programme. Health Technol. 13, 791–798 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12553-023-00777-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12553-023-00777-9