Calibration frequency of dose-area product meters

Citation
Mt. Crawley et al., Calibration frequency of dose-area product meters, BR J RADIOL, 74(879), 2001, pp. 259-261
Citations number
4
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology ,Nuclear Medicine & Imaging","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Journal title
BRITISH JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY
ISSN journal
00071285 → ACNP
Volume
74
Issue
879
Year of publication
2001
Pages
259 - 261
Database
ISI
SICI code
Abstract
Calibration of patient dose monitoring devices in diagnostic radiology has become increasingly important in the light of new legislation that requires monitoring of patient dose against local and national diagnostic reference levels. An investigation was conducted into the long-term stability of 41 dose-area product (DAP) meters over a period of approximately 5 years, to a ssess the suitability of an annual calibration regimen. For DAP meters fitt ed to overcouch X-ray tubes, 77% of calibrations were within 10%, whilst fo r undercouch tubes only 50% of calibrations were within 10%. These findings suggest that annual calibration may be too infrequent. Suitable calibratio n frequencies for different clinical workloads are discussed.