COMPUTERIZATION OF DIAGNOSTIC X - RAY DOSE (A CASE STUDY OF GBOKO GENERAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Although significant medical benefits are derived from radiographic examinations, diagnostic radiology accounts for the largest contributions to the irradiation in people in most countries of the world. In keeping the radiation dose to a minimum, therefore, requires a research work to study the applications of diagnostic X - rays in hospitals - Nigeria. Consequently, Gboko General Hospital was chosen as a case study and a sample group of 20 patients were cross examined to determine the levels of X - radiations exposure. In this project, a system has been designed to calculate the X - ray dose. With this system, the radiographer will know the X-ray dose each patient will receive prior to diagnostic examination. This is achieved by inputting the radiographical parameters: kvp, mAS,T,FFD and patient's thickness into Edmond's fonnula; skin dose (mGY) =((836*(kvpf 1.74 *mAS/(SSDy,2)*(lrr+0.114))/IOOO The benefits of the new system are the speed and accuracy of calculating the skin dose.