Development for radiation Diagnostic Laboratory in the Hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health in Health Region 9

Abstract

       Radiography is one of key factors in disease diagnosis. However, quality standard has to be met to prevent patients from receiving excessive radiation. Therefore, it is vital to set up a quality control system for operation. In 2012, Department of Medical Sciences had launched the criteria and guidelines for the development of the diagnostic radiology in all hospital laboratories under the Ministry of Public Health. The evaluation consists of three parts: Safety, Diagnostic Radiology and Service Quality. In fiscal year of 2015, 56 hospitals in Health Region 9 were evaluated, 25 of them (44.64%) met the criteria. One hospital (1.79%) reached the basic criteria, 16 (28.57%) received outstanding performance. After the evaluation, the area of most improvement was in the Service Quality (87.21%), followed by Safety (72.92%) and the lowest was Diagnostic Radiology (70.53%). No quality control of display monitor or view box as well as radiation equipment were the most common defect found. Besides, there was no assessment of the radiation dose that patients received from Diagnostic Radiography. Moreover, the radiation specialists were insufficient to cope with the workload. These findings were presented to the hospitals to plan for further development.