Abstract
M.Tech. (Radiography)
Detector dose indicators (DDIs) are the only indicators of correct exposure technique in digital X-ray imaging systems but the use of such indicators remains largely unexplored in a South African setting. The study investigated radiographers’ familiarity with and use of the DDI and compared the actual DDIs obtained in practice to the manufacturers’ recommended standards. This provided insight into current exposure technique practices in the South African setting.
An explorative and descriptive quantitative study was conducted in two phases at randomly selected radiography clinical training facilities (n = 10). Phase 1 of the study investigated the radiographers’ familiarity with and use of the DDI (n=105) at selected sites by means of a questionnaire. In phase 2 of the study actual DDI values were collected retrospectively from the same sites and compared to the manufacturers’ recommended standards (n= 1422).
54.3% of respondents had a correct understanding of DDI and 55.7% used the DDI correctly. Of the 1 422 retrospectively collected actual DDI values, only 50% of DDI were within the manufacturers’ recommended range and 27% indicated overexposure.
An observable lack of familiarity with and the questionable use of the DDI by radiographers, coupled with some evidence of overexposure in the clinical setting suggests that improvements could be made to the training radiographers’ receive on digital x-ray imaging systems. Moreover, retrospective auditing of the DDI is advocated as a dose optimisation, radiation protection and quality improvement strategy in clinical departments in a South African setting.