Quality of diagnostic x-ray units in 6 provinces of central part of Thailand during 2013-2014

Abstract

       The quality assurance of radiography based on the operating conditions of x-ray equipment is essential for the prevention of radiation workers, patients and public from unnecessary doses of ionizing radiation. During the fiscal years 2013-2014, Bureau of Radiation and Medical Devices, Department of Medical Sciences, evaluated the quality of 3,459 x-ray units which were used in governmental and private hospitals in 6 provinces of the central part of Thailand including Nonthaburi, Pathumthani, Saraburi, Phra Nakhonsi Ayutthaya, Nakhon Nayok and Bangkok following the standard requirements of the x-ray equipment in the Department of Medical Sciences Notification on “Practices in Quality Control of x-ray Equipment”. The results showed that 3,362 x-ray units were in accordance with the standards and 97 x-ray units (2.80%) were not in accordance with the standards. The percentage of x-ray equipment which were outside the acceptable limit for the tests for beam limiting device, linearity, kVp accuracy and timer accuracy were 1.03, 0.72, 0.59 and 0.53, respectively. Therefore, the quality of the x-ray equipment shall be improved in order to get the good quality of radiographic images as well as to be safe for the radiation workers, patients and public.