Assessment of peak voltage accuracy and reproducibility of conventional X-radiography units in Palestine

Abstract

Introduction: All components of diagnostic X-ray system must be committed to a periodic quality control program, in order to achieve accurate and quick diagnosis and low radiation dose to patients, which is the real purpose of medical imaging. Aim and objectives: The main objective of this study is to determine voltage (V) accuracy and reproducibility for the individual diagnostic X-ray units, as well as evaluate if the X-ray units age and average daily load have significant correlation on mean kVp accuracy. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, kVp accuracy and reproducibility tests were performed on 12 conventional X-radiography units (A-1-H-1) in 3 cities in Palestine, which, the tests were conducted according to the relevant acceptance limits recommended by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), using the multiple-purpose analyzer the Radcal Accu pro (model: 9096). Results: The findings revealed that 11 of X-ray units passed the kVp accuracy test (91%), and all the evaluated X-ray units passed the kVp reproducibility test, and there was a weak statistically significant relationship between X-ray unit age and mean kVp accuracy p-value = 0.008, while there was no significant relationship between the Average daily load and the mean kVp accuracy p-value = 0.238 Conclusion: kVp accuracy and reproducibility test are not performed in most of the evaluated X-ray units, while enhancement the performance of quality control programs will lead to a higher degree of professionalism, However Machine age appears to have a major impact on kVp accuracy.