[ rate of exposure of patients in common X-ray examinations in radiology centers of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province]

ABSTRACT

Among the man-made radiation sources, X-ray machines cause most of the patient exposures. The aim of this study was to measure the radiation doses received by patients in diagnostic radiology departments in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Seven X-ray machines from six hospitals were studied. Entrance surface dose [ESD] was measured for twenty randomly selected patients for each X-ray machine. The amoluminescence, LiF [Litium floride] and Geiger-Muller dosimeters were used to measure patient's exposure in four common radiographic views. The ESD for the PA and lateral chest x-ray examinations were found to be in the range of 0.22-1.45 and 0.34-4.90 mGy respectively. The ESD values for the AP [Anteroposterior] or PA [Posteroanterior] skull and LAT [Lateral] skull were in the rage of 2.55-8.45 and 2.85-9.12 mGy respectively. The results indicated that quality assurance [QA] programs should be taken seriously to reduce high patient doses. Also it is recommended to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure