Radiographer knowledge and practice of paediatric radiation dose protocols in digital radiography in Gauteng
- Authors: Moolman, Nicole
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Radiography, Medical - Digital techniques , Pediatric radiography , Pediatric diagnostic imaging , Radiography, Medical
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/296935 , uj:32359
- Description: M.Tech. (Radiography) , Abstract: The advent of digital radiography (DR) poses the risk of unnoticed increases in patient dose. Radiological imaging of paediatric patients is extremely valuable however; special considerations need to be taken into account. The increased radiation sensitivity of growing organs and longer life expectancy, make paediatric patients more susceptible to the harmful effects of radiation. In order to prevent harmful effects of ionising radiation, the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle should be adhered to. Although advancements in DR have the potential to reduce patient dose, lack of knowledge will result in the overexposure of paediatric patients. Radiographers must be prepared for the technological advancements in radiography and must be adequately trained. The outcome of radiography training programmes should be for radiographers to evolve within the profession and become problem-solvers within the departments. This study sought to answer the question: What is the level of knowledge and practice of radiographers regarding paediatric radiation doses and exposure indices in digital radiography?” The aim of this quantitative non-experimental, descriptive study was to explore and describe the knowledge and practice of radiographers regarding paediatric DR dose protocols in Gauteng. This study was guided by three objectives: (1) to assess the knowledge of radiographers regarding paediatric radiation dose protocols in DR, (2) to determine if this knowledge translates into safe radiation practice according to international guidelines and (3) to develop best practice DR protocols guidelines in minimising paediatric dose. A quantitative, descriptive research approach using a questionnaire with both open-ended and closed questions was utilised. Diagnostic radiographers in Gauteng, South Africa were included in this study. Sixty-five questionnaires were administered and 61 were returned, which is a 94% response rate. The study was conducted at six radiology departments in Gauteng, which comprised both private and public practices. The findings of this study indicate that the participants had knowledge of paediatric radiation dose protocols and exposure index (EI); however, there is a dire need for training protocols to be...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moolman, Nicole
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Radiography, Medical - Digital techniques , Pediatric radiography , Pediatric diagnostic imaging , Radiography, Medical
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/296935 , uj:32359
- Description: M.Tech. (Radiography) , Abstract: The advent of digital radiography (DR) poses the risk of unnoticed increases in patient dose. Radiological imaging of paediatric patients is extremely valuable however; special considerations need to be taken into account. The increased radiation sensitivity of growing organs and longer life expectancy, make paediatric patients more susceptible to the harmful effects of radiation. In order to prevent harmful effects of ionising radiation, the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle should be adhered to. Although advancements in DR have the potential to reduce patient dose, lack of knowledge will result in the overexposure of paediatric patients. Radiographers must be prepared for the technological advancements in radiography and must be adequately trained. The outcome of radiography training programmes should be for radiographers to evolve within the profession and become problem-solvers within the departments. This study sought to answer the question: What is the level of knowledge and practice of radiographers regarding paediatric radiation doses and exposure indices in digital radiography?” The aim of this quantitative non-experimental, descriptive study was to explore and describe the knowledge and practice of radiographers regarding paediatric DR dose protocols in Gauteng. This study was guided by three objectives: (1) to assess the knowledge of radiographers regarding paediatric radiation dose protocols in DR, (2) to determine if this knowledge translates into safe radiation practice according to international guidelines and (3) to develop best practice DR protocols guidelines in minimising paediatric dose. A quantitative, descriptive research approach using a questionnaire with both open-ended and closed questions was utilised. Diagnostic radiographers in Gauteng, South Africa were included in this study. Sixty-five questionnaires were administered and 61 were returned, which is a 94% response rate. The study was conducted at six radiology departments in Gauteng, which comprised both private and public practices. The findings of this study indicate that the participants had knowledge of paediatric radiation dose protocols and exposure index (EI); however, there is a dire need for training protocols to be...
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Evaluating the use of detector dose indicators in digital x-ray imaging systems
- Authors: Lewis, Shantel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Radiography, Medical , Radiography, Medical - Digital techniques
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/285786 , uj:30912
- Description: M.Tech. (Radiography) , Abstract: 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.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lewis, Shantel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Radiography, Medical , Radiography, Medical - Digital techniques
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/285786 , uj:30912
- Description: M.Tech. (Radiography) , Abstract: 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.
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