Determination of Calibration Cycles Using X-ray Tube Output, Workload and Use Factor for Diagnostic X-rays
Journal Title: Journal of Medical Diagnostic Methods - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 2
Abstract
The stipulated standard time according to annual inspection done under the Health Facility Act 2008 is once per year however, due to varying workloads, use factor, and tube age the calibration cycles can be adjusted. Significance of this work includes determining the optimal calibration time of diagnostic X-ray tubes, resulting in promotion of new knowledge and influencing policies on the need for timely calibrations, additionally it may be used as a marker for urgent calibration in high workload facilities via diagnostic reference per unit to establish an institutional local standard. Parameters involved in this research are X-ray tube output (mGy/mAs), workload (mAmin/ week), use factor and fluence (mGy/cm2). Comparative studies were done at two local hospitals in Guyana namely Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and Linden Hospital Corporation (LHC). Barium meals (B.M) and intravenous pyelograms (IVP) were measured at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The RaySafe X2 was placed in the path of the X-ray beam at different settings of peak kilovoltage and millamperage- second and the radiation quantities were displayed on the base unit. This research investigated the effect of variation factor on the calibration of the static radiography on a fluoroscopy unit. Factors measured included kerma, tube output, fluence and age of tube output and workload. The differences obtained were significant in the cases of the elevated R/F sensor at 60 cm and at table top of 115 cm and varying peak kilovoltages and milliamperage. The difference in tube output could be attributed to anode surface damage (pitting), age of the tube, filtration, and collimation. A lower workload requires less calibration. In conclusion facilities with a workload of approximately 50 patients do not require more frequent calibration.
Authors and Affiliations
Jermain Exeter, Petal Surujpaul
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP580884
- DOI 10.4172/2168-9784.1000269
- Views 85
- Downloads 0
Assessment of Personnel Dosimetry in Radiotherapy at Cancer Institute Guyana
The only radiotherapy facility in Guyana, located at Cancer Institute Guyana (CIG) has a linear accelerator (LINAC), potential to produce photons of 6 Megavolts and 6 electrons energies of 5,7,8,10,12 and 14 MeV. This re...
Leveraging Information Technology to Hardwire Diagnostic Stewardship
Objective: This article reports the impact of an electronic educational tool embedded in the electronic medical record on diagnostic stewardship of procalcitonin (PCT)-A biomarker used to differentiate bacterial from vir...
Determination of Calibration Cycles Using X-ray Tube Output, Workload and Use Factor for Diagnostic X-rays
The stipulated standard time according to annual inspection done under the Health Facility Act 2008 is once per year however, due to varying workloads, use factor, and tube age the calibration cycles can be adjusted. Sig...
The Role of Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool for Breast Cancer in the Screening of Younger Women (Age 25-38) in Guyana
Objective: Ultrasound is used in many ways, not only as an initial diagnostic tool for confirmation of pathologydetermined from biopsies of the breast but also staging of breast cancer. Ultrasound is inexpensive and read...
Muscle Volume Measurement for Intensive Care Unit Acquired weakness using Computed Tomography: A Pilot Study
Muscle volume measurement is important for ICUAW evaluation, which has been done using ultrasound and manual muscle testing. We compared the reliability of CT and other methods for muscle volume measurement. This observa...