QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM APPLIED TO MOBILE X-RAY-EQUIPMENT

The importance of quality assurance of X ray equipment in diagnostic i maging departments is well recognised. However, practically no attenti on in the literature has been paid to the application of QA programmes to mobile radiographic equipment. This equipment is often omitted fro m quality assurance programmes because it is off-site from the main ra diological facility. Application of QA programmes is also important in the case of mobile X ray equipment where optimisation of image qualit y and reduction of radiation exposure to the patient is desired. In vi ew of the above a QA survey of 12 mobile X ray machines was undertaken . The study concentrated on the pattern of their use, radiation, mecha nical and electrical safety aspects. The results of these surveys are reported and aspects which could be relevant to patient radiation expo sure and image quality are highlighted.