Performance Assessment of a Digital X-ray Unit in a Private Medical Complex in Riyadh.

ABSTRACT

Digital radiography allows the user to replace film-screen systems without the need to replace other parts of the X-ray system. The aim of this work is to ensure that radiology facility produces consistently high-quality images with minimum radiation doses to the patients and workers. This is achieved by planning a systematic Quality Assurance (QA) program. A number of Quality Control (QC) tests were performed consisting of a series of standardized procedures developed to detect changes in X-ray equipment's functions from its original level of performance. Four QC tests were acquired and analyzed. The first one is tube voltage, exposure, exposure time reproducibility tests. The main objective of this multi test is to investigate the ability of radiographic unit to produce the same exposure even though in short intervals. Secondly, tube voltage accuracy and kVp accuracy is maintained to ensure that the desired technique is coming out of the tube. After that mAs linearity which is the ability of radiographic unit to produce a constant radiation output for various combinations of mA and exposure time. The forth test is Half Value Layer (HVL) which is the amount of absorbing material that will reduce the intensity of the primary beam to one-half its original value. Finally the image the image quality is also assessed. The digital X-ray machine namely (Siemens 4803404X1953) successfully pass all the QC tests. In other word the calibration establishment accuracy confirm that, the X-Ray machine result is pass. This comply with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (KSA-SFDA) that covered all medical regulatory aspects of ionizing radiation of diagnostic X-ray facilities for all practices requirements. The obtained results were performed according to the results and recommendations of the AAPM and ICRP103.

Keywords: QA, QC, X-ray, Equipment Assessment, Exposure Measurements.