Quality control test of conventional X-Ray systems in Delta State, South-South, Nigeria

The quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) programmes of imaging equipment are key ingredients of a quality system. This study is aimed at measuring X-Ray machine parameters and comparing them with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) report No. 74. Also, this study made comparison with similar articles locally and internationally. The study was conducted in 12 X-Ray unit (A-L) located in Delta State. A MagicMax Universal Basic Unit was used alongside an XR Multidetector (silicon photodiode) to measure dose, dose rate, practical peak voltage (PPV), exposure time, current in milliampere (mA) and quantity (Q) in milliampere seconds (mAs). The XR Multidetector was positioned at 100 cm from the focus to image distance (FID) to make most measurements. Six (6) X-Ray units were above 20 years, accounting for 50% of the total X-Ray units used. 30% of X-Ray units > 20 years failed the QC test, which was 2.3 times higher than X-Ray units < 10 and 10-20 years respectively. On the average, 55% pass mark was achieved in the 12 X-Ray units across the state, while 26.11% of the test could not be done due to bad knobs and other challenges. Two (2) X-Ray units with an average age of 3 years, passed all the test. The study showed that many of the X-Ray units were old and certain machine parameters could not be assessed. The study also reveal that most X-Ray specifications manual were either misplaced or missing. Continuing QC programme is highly recommended in the studied areas.