Implementation of Quality Control Tests for two Digital X-Ray Equipment in Riyadh

ABSTRACT

The main aim of diagnostic radiology is to deliver high-quality diagnostic image information regarding anatomic detail or an ongoing physiological process within a patient's body, when such information cannot be provided by an alternate diagnostic method that does not require ionizing radiation. The major purpose of the quality assurance (QA) program of radiological practice optimization is to ensure enough clinical diagnostic information while exposing the patient to the least amount of radiation possible (as low as reasonably achievable ALARA principle) at the lowest cost. Implementing the QA program entails more than just completing legal requirements for quality control (QC) of X-ray and associated equipment and the regions where they are installed; it also entails making the best use of equipment, human, and material resources, as well as patient dosage monitoring during articular radiographic diagnostic procedures. The main objective of this study was to perform QC tests on stationary radiographic X-ray machines, installed in two hospitals of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Based on the findings, kVp accuracy, kVp reproducibility, timer accuracy, timer reproducibility, exposure reproducibility, mA/timer linearity, and half-value layer were within the acceptable limits. Thus the result of the two X-Ray machines passed all the QC tests.

Keywords: Diagnostic X-ray, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, X-ray meter, Radiology Device