Original Research

Quality management systems in radiology

Geoffrey K. Korir, Jeska S. Wambani, Ian K. Korir, Mark Tries, Beatrice M. Mulama
South African Journal of Radiology | Vol 17, No 3 | a271 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajr.v17i3.271 | © 2013 Geoffrey K. Korir, Jeska S. Wambani, Ian K. Korir, Mark Tries, Beatrice M. Mulama | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 24 February 2013 | Published: 01 August 2013

About the author(s)

Geoffrey K. Korir, Department of Physics and Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, United States
Jeska S. Wambani, Radiology Department, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
Ian K. Korir, National Nuclear Regulator, Centurion, South Africa
Mark Tries, Department of Physics and Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, United States
Beatrice M. Mulama, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya


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Abstract

Background: The use of X-ray imaging is ever increasing in proportion to the need for radiological services and technological capabilities. Quality management that includes patient radiation dose monitoring is fundamental to safety and quality improvement of radiological services.

Objective: To assess the level of quality management systems in X-ray medical facilities in Kenya.

Methods: Quality management inspection, quality control performance tests and patient radiation exposure were assessed in 54 representative X-ray medical facilities. Additionally, a survey of X-ray examination frequency was conducted in 140 hospitals across the country.

Results: The overall findings placed the country’s X-ray imaging quality management systems at 61±3% out of a possible 100%. The most and the least quality assurance performance indicators were general radiography X-ray equipment quality control tests at 88±4%, and the interventional cardiology adult examinations below diagnostic reference level at 25±1%, respectively.

Conclusions: The study used a systematic evidence-based approach for the assessment of national quality management systems in radiological practice in clinical application, technical conduct of the procedure, image quality criteria, and patient characteristics as part of the quality management programme.


Keywords

quality management systems; x-ray procedures; radiology; Kenya and quality control

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