An investigation into the status of quality assurance and quality control measures in diagnostic X-ray departments in Malawi
- Authors: Chinamale, Harvest Mathias
- Date: 2011-06-30T08:20:46Z
- Subjects: Radiography, Medical - Malawi , X-ray equipment and supplies - Malawi , Radiological services - Malawi
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7156 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3764
- Description: M.Tech. , There is varied X-ray equipment in the hospitals where radiology services are being provided by the government of Malawi. Well maintained and optimally functioning X-ray equipment is essential in providing diagnostic assistance to referring clinicians. Equipment needs to be carefully looked after by the users to avoid unnecessary breakdowns because installation and maintenance is very expensive. Imaging departments need to be well run and efficiently utilised in order to minimise radiation hazards and to be cost effective. One important element of taking care of equipment is to conduct Quality Assurance (QA) Programmes and Quality Control (QC) measures. QA and QC activities are essential if X-ray equipment is to operate optimally at all times. X-ray equipment in Malawi is not subjected to any QA or QC measures as stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) standards and this leads to frequent breakdown of equipment. This prompted the researcher to conduct a study to investigate the status of X-ray equipment QA and QC measures in Malawi. The aim of the study was to establish the status of QA and QC measures in diagnostic X-ray departments in government hospitals of Malawi and establish a baseline from which recommendations could be made to facilitate the development of QA and QC programmes in Malawi. A quantitative design that included an exploratory and descriptive approach was used to collect data. All four central hospitals were selected using a census sampling method and ten district hospitals were selected using cluster sampling method across the country. Questionnaires were used to collect information on QA programmes for hospitals and X-ray departments. Records were checked retrospectively in the hospitals and X-ray departments for the availability of formal QA programmes if any. QC tests were also conducted on the X-ray equipment and imaging accessories.
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- Authors: Chinamale, Harvest Mathias
- Date: 2011-06-30T08:20:46Z
- Subjects: Radiography, Medical - Malawi , X-ray equipment and supplies - Malawi , Radiological services - Malawi
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7156 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3764
- Description: M.Tech. , There is varied X-ray equipment in the hospitals where radiology services are being provided by the government of Malawi. Well maintained and optimally functioning X-ray equipment is essential in providing diagnostic assistance to referring clinicians. Equipment needs to be carefully looked after by the users to avoid unnecessary breakdowns because installation and maintenance is very expensive. Imaging departments need to be well run and efficiently utilised in order to minimise radiation hazards and to be cost effective. One important element of taking care of equipment is to conduct Quality Assurance (QA) Programmes and Quality Control (QC) measures. QA and QC activities are essential if X-ray equipment is to operate optimally at all times. X-ray equipment in Malawi is not subjected to any QA or QC measures as stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) standards and this leads to frequent breakdown of equipment. This prompted the researcher to conduct a study to investigate the status of X-ray equipment QA and QC measures in Malawi. The aim of the study was to establish the status of QA and QC measures in diagnostic X-ray departments in government hospitals of Malawi and establish a baseline from which recommendations could be made to facilitate the development of QA and QC programmes in Malawi. A quantitative design that included an exploratory and descriptive approach was used to collect data. All four central hospitals were selected using a census sampling method and ten district hospitals were selected using cluster sampling method across the country. Questionnaires were used to collect information on QA programmes for hospitals and X-ray departments. Records were checked retrospectively in the hospitals and X-ray departments for the availability of formal QA programmes if any. QC tests were also conducted on the X-ray equipment and imaging accessories.
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The experiences of patients undergoing special radiographic examinations at Kamuzu Central Hospital
- Authors: Kumwembe, Mussa
- Date: 2014-06-04
- Subjects: Diagnostic imaging - Patients - Malawi - Attitudes , Hospitals - Malawi - Radiological services , Radiography, Medical - Malawi
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11398 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11036
- Description: M.Tech. (Radiography) , Satisfied patients are recognized as an important outcome measure for evaluating the quality of medical care provided in a hospital setting. A satisfied patient is more likely to comply with instructions given and cooperate with medical staff during procedures such as special radiographic examinations in the radiography department. In Malawi, studies on patient satisfaction have mostly been confined to doctor – patient interaction and other aspects of the health care service. Very little research has been conducted to explore the experiences of patients undergoing special radiographic examinations. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of patients undergoing special radiographic examinations at Kamuzu Central Hospital. A qualitative, contextual, explorative, descriptive approach was used to collect data from patients undergoing special radiographic examinations at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Malawi. Focus group interviews were employed to collect data from the study participants. A total number of 15 patients took part in the study. A content analysis approach was used to analyze the views of the participants. The themes that emerged from the focus group data were: Concerns about delays from reception to receiving radiography results (Radiographs and report); Patients’ experiences with regards to the quality of patient care they received and Concerns about the hospital environment and resources in the radiography department. Guidelines have been proposed to address the themes identified.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kumwembe, Mussa
- Date: 2014-06-04
- Subjects: Diagnostic imaging - Patients - Malawi - Attitudes , Hospitals - Malawi - Radiological services , Radiography, Medical - Malawi
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11398 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11036
- Description: M.Tech. (Radiography) , Satisfied patients are recognized as an important outcome measure for evaluating the quality of medical care provided in a hospital setting. A satisfied patient is more likely to comply with instructions given and cooperate with medical staff during procedures such as special radiographic examinations in the radiography department. In Malawi, studies on patient satisfaction have mostly been confined to doctor – patient interaction and other aspects of the health care service. Very little research has been conducted to explore the experiences of patients undergoing special radiographic examinations. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of patients undergoing special radiographic examinations at Kamuzu Central Hospital. A qualitative, contextual, explorative, descriptive approach was used to collect data from patients undergoing special radiographic examinations at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Malawi. Focus group interviews were employed to collect data from the study participants. A total number of 15 patients took part in the study. A content analysis approach was used to analyze the views of the participants. The themes that emerged from the focus group data were: Concerns about delays from reception to receiving radiography results (Radiographs and report); Patients’ experiences with regards to the quality of patient care they received and Concerns about the hospital environment and resources in the radiography department. Guidelines have been proposed to address the themes identified.
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