Data evaluation of chest radiographic Services in Newborns using a mobile computer system in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Chumphonkhetudomsak Hospital.
Keywords:
Computed Radiography, Exposure Index, Chest Radiographs in NeonatalAbstract
Abstract
Introduction: Currently, the digital radiography system has replaced traditional screen-film systems due to faster image acquisition, better quality images and safety from a chemical film remover. To provide feedback regarding the proper radiographic techniques, the exposure index (EI) has been used as an international standard. It indirectly suggests whether the appropriate radiation dose has been achieved, which subsequently indicate image quality and radiation exposure to the patient. Excessive use of radiation will be harmful to patients but using a small amount of radiation will reduce the quality of the radiograph which may not be able to diagnose the disease.
Objective: To examine radiographers’ performance regarding EI usage and understanding and evaluate the EI data from chest radiography done by the mobile computer system at Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) in terms of the EI range determined by the manufacturer.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted from January 2016 to December 2019.
The performance of 9 radiographers regarding the organ thickness measurement for the technique setting and determining the (EI) after radiography was recorded and the data of the radiographic index from NICU, Chumphonkhetudomsak Hospital was analyzed.
Results: The study shows that 97.22% of the images had the EI within the range specified by the manufacturer (S-value 200-700), 1.48% were overexposed (S-value>700) indicating insufficient radiation dose to optimize image quality and 1.30% were underexposed (S-value<200) suggesting that the amount of radiation was excessive and there is a tendency to use more radiation. Regarding the performance of the radiographers, 55.56 % did not measure a thickness of the organs before setting the technique and 11.11 % did not review the EI after imaging procedure.
Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that the majority of radiographic images have the EI. 97.22% with.in the normal range. However, it is necessary for a radiographer to use the EI to optimize the quality of radiographic image at the lowest possible radiation dose.
Keywords: Computed Radiography, Exposure Index, Chest Radiographs in Neonatal
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