Abstract:
The objective of the study is to explore the potential for dose reduction in the selected X-ray facilities for the selected examinations and to ensure that images obtained after the reduction of dose are satisfactory for diagnosis.DAP were measured on a total of 327 patients for chest (PA), skull (PA/LAT), lumbar spine (AP/LAT), abdomen (AP) and pelvis (AP) examinations at COCL, MNDH, TAFH and MMGH. The effective dose incurred by patients per examination was estimated using a PCXMC version 1.5. In order to explore the potential for dose reduction, an anthropomorphic woman phantom was used. Seventy-five radiographs were obtained from the phantom studies at COCL, MNDH and TAFH for the image quality assessment. An experienced senior radiologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital performed the image quality assessment, which was based on the CEC 1996 image criteria. The range of the mean DAP and the effective dose recorded for the patient dose assessment for the selected examinations at the selected facilities is (21.1 – 752.1) μGy.m2 and (0.007 – 1.402) mSv respectively. The range of the DAP and the effective dose from the phantom studies were (15.1 – 200.1) μGy.m2 and (0.03 – 0.70) mSv respectively. In all, there was an overall average dose reduction of 49.7% in the DAP values for the selected examinations at COCL, MNDH and TAFH.
