Journal of Medical Diagnostic Methods
Open Access

Abstract

Enhancing Quality Management through Effective Quality Assurance in Jamaican Radiology Centres

Barrington Brevitt, Andre Gordon, Mitko Voutchkov and Lisa Burnett

Objectives: To conduct a quality control assessment among Jamaican radiology facilities in a bid to create a consistent platform that can be employed as a standard for baseline radiation measurements and evaluation.
Methodology: A quad control kit was employed to conduct the reproducibility and accuracy test on 6 general radiography machines. 6 consecutive exposures were made for each of the following technical factors; 52 kVp at 6.30 mAs (mili-amperes per second) and 96 kVp at 25 mAs.
Results: The mean kVp value returned at facility 1, using high kVp technique was 96.4, facility 2 returned a mean value of 97.2 while facility 3 generated a mean of 97.1 kVp. This disparity was also identified among the other centres; facility 4 had a mean kVp reading of 96.7, facility 5 averaged 97.2 and facility 6, 95.2.
Conclusion: There is a need for national baseline standards to be coined outlining the frequency with which quality control checks are to be conducted coupled with suitable tolerance limits. It is also important that radiation workers be abreast of the tenets of the Jamaican Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act.