ASSESSMENT OF SAFETY MEASURES IN THE DESIGN AND UTILIZATION OF X-RAY DIAGNOSTIC RADIOGRAPHY IN SOME HOSPITALS IN KADUNA STATE
ASSESSMENT OF SAFETY MEASURES IN THE DESIGN AND UTILIZATION OF X-RAY DIAGNOSTIC RADIOGRAPHY IN SOME HOSPITALS IN KADUNA STATE
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Date
2016-02
Authors
IDA, PatrickAkoji
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Abstract
Health hazards are associated with exposure to ionizingradiations such as x-rays. The risks associated with x-rays in radiography are minimized through international best practices. In Kaduna state there are many hospitals and diagnostic centers using diagnostic x-ray machines. The major concern is the safety involved in the use of these machines. The aim of this research is to assess the safety precautions taken in these diagnostic radiography centers. One public hospital in Kaduna metropolis and four private centers in Zaria were assessed for x-ray room dimension, x-ray tube leakage and environmental safety, kilovoltagepeak(kVp) accuracy, Half Value Layer(HVL), mA linearity, optical and x-ray beam congruence, beam alignment, and timer accuracy. X-ray room dimensions were determined by direct measurements with a measuring tape, x-ray tube leakage was determined with four TLDs each positioned at each interface of the tube while the highest possible exposure was made. Two survey meters were used to monitor the environment during exposures. kVpaccuracy was tested using RMI multifunction meter model 245 positioned at 100cm FFD. The HVL was determined with series of Al sheets of varying thickness placed on an exposure meter. mA and timer accuracies were tested using exposure meter (Rad Check). The optical radiation beam congruence was determined with four metallic markers placed at the edges of the light beam indicated on a loaded x-ray cassette while beam alignment was determined with collimator and beam alignment test tools. Only one out of the four centers complied with the 16m2 minimum room dimension required for an x-ray room. All the five centers passed the tube leakage test with none of the centers recording up to 1mSv/h at 100cm from the tube surface. Only one center passed area monitoring without a compromise. One out of the five centers wholly complied
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with kVperror limit of 5%. Only one center defaulted in mA linearity with coefficient of 0.49. Two centers failed optical radiation beam congruence. Two centers also failed beam alignment test with>3.00. Out of the three machines tested for timer accuracy two passed with coefficient of linearity of approximately 0.1.
In conclusion adequate safety precautions are not taken in these diagnostic centers. Therefore, staff and patient safety is compromised to an extent in most of the centers. Much efforts must be made towards improving radiation protection in most radiography centers in Kaduna state.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A
MASTER DEGREE IN RADIATION BIOPHYSICS.
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
ASSESSMENT,, SAFETY MEASURES,, DESIGN,, UTILIZATION,, X-RAY DIAGNOSTIC RADIOGRAPHY,, HOSPITALS,, KADUNA STATE,