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Optimization of patient radiation protection in pelvic X‐ray examination in Ghana

Pelvis X‐ray examinations inevitably involve exposure of the gonads to ionizing radiation. In line with the principle of keeping doses as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP), accurate patient dose measurement is vital if we are to ascertain that these exposures are fully optimized. The study aimed...

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Autores principales: Ofori, Eric K., Antwi, William K., Scutt, Diane N., Ward, Matt
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: John Wiley and Sons Inc. 2012
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5716508/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22766943
http://dx.doi.org/10.1120/jacmp.v13i4.3719
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author Ofori, Eric K.
Antwi, William K.
Scutt, Diane N.
Ward, Matt
author_facet Ofori, Eric K.
Antwi, William K.
Scutt, Diane N.
Ward, Matt
author_sort Ofori, Eric K.
collection PubMed
description Pelvis X‐ray examinations inevitably involve exposure of the gonads to ionizing radiation. In line with the principle of keeping doses as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP), accurate patient dose measurement is vital if we are to ascertain that these exposures are fully optimized. The study aimed to provide patient dose estimates for pelvis examination being undertaken at 10 separate hospitals in Ghana in order to provide an initial quantitative indication of each site's typically achievable radiation safety and quality standards. The method employed was adapted from established methods and peer reviewed literature, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) publications on optimization of the radiological protection of patients undergoing radiography, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography examinations in some countries in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Dose measurements were calculated on 323 patients (137 (42%) male, 186 (58%) female, ages, 38.56 yr [Formula: see text]; range 20–68). The entrance surface dose (ESD) was determined by an indirect method, using the patient's anatomical data and exposure parameters utilized for the specific examination. The Quality Assurance Dose Database software (QADDs) developed by Integrated Radiological Services Ltd. in Liverpool, UK was used to generate the ESD values. The study identified variations in the technique factors used compared with the recommendations in the European Commission (EC) quality criteria. Eighty percent of the hospitals recorded lower ESD values below IAEA recommended diagnostic reference levels (10 mGy) and 40% of the hospitals exceeded the UK national reference value (4 mGy). However, one hospital consistently recorded higher ESDs than the other hospitals. The variations in the data recorded demonstrate the importance of creating awareness by the radiographic staff on quality assurance and standardization of protocols to ensure satisfactory standards and optimized radiation dose to patients and staff. PACS number: 87.59.B
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spelling pubmed-57165082018-04-02 Optimization of patient radiation protection in pelvic X‐ray examination in Ghana Ofori, Eric K. Antwi, William K. Scutt, Diane N. Ward, Matt J Appl Clin Med Phys Medical Imaging Pelvis X‐ray examinations inevitably involve exposure of the gonads to ionizing radiation. In line with the principle of keeping doses as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP), accurate patient dose measurement is vital if we are to ascertain that these exposures are fully optimized. The study aimed to provide patient dose estimates for pelvis examination being undertaken at 10 separate hospitals in Ghana in order to provide an initial quantitative indication of each site's typically achievable radiation safety and quality standards. The method employed was adapted from established methods and peer reviewed literature, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) publications on optimization of the radiological protection of patients undergoing radiography, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography examinations in some countries in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Dose measurements were calculated on 323 patients (137 (42%) male, 186 (58%) female, ages, 38.56 yr [Formula: see text]; range 20–68). The entrance surface dose (ESD) was determined by an indirect method, using the patient's anatomical data and exposure parameters utilized for the specific examination. The Quality Assurance Dose Database software (QADDs) developed by Integrated Radiological Services Ltd. in Liverpool, UK was used to generate the ESD values. The study identified variations in the technique factors used compared with the recommendations in the European Commission (EC) quality criteria. Eighty percent of the hospitals recorded lower ESD values below IAEA recommended diagnostic reference levels (10 mGy) and 40% of the hospitals exceeded the UK national reference value (4 mGy). However, one hospital consistently recorded higher ESDs than the other hospitals. The variations in the data recorded demonstrate the importance of creating awareness by the radiographic staff on quality assurance and standardization of protocols to ensure satisfactory standards and optimized radiation dose to patients and staff. PACS number: 87.59.B John Wiley and Sons Inc. 2012-07-05 /pmc/articles/PMC5716508/ /pubmed/22766943 http://dx.doi.org/10.1120/jacmp.v13i4.3719 Text en © 2012 The Authors. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
spellingShingle Medical Imaging
Ofori, Eric K.
Antwi, William K.
Scutt, Diane N.
Ward, Matt
Optimization of patient radiation protection in pelvic X‐ray examination in Ghana
title Optimization of patient radiation protection in pelvic X‐ray examination in Ghana
title_full Optimization of patient radiation protection in pelvic X‐ray examination in Ghana
title_fullStr Optimization of patient radiation protection in pelvic X‐ray examination in Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of patient radiation protection in pelvic X‐ray examination in Ghana
title_short Optimization of patient radiation protection in pelvic X‐ray examination in Ghana
title_sort optimization of patient radiation protection in pelvic x‐ray examination in ghana
topic Medical Imaging
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5716508/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22766943
http://dx.doi.org/10.1120/jacmp.v13i4.3719
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