Assessment of Quality Assurance Programs for Conventional X-Ray Equipment in Kano Metropolis

Background: Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) measures are essential in maintaining X-ray equipment in order to provide accurate diagnostic information to the referring physician, as well as guarantees that machines will emit appropriate levels of radiation at all times.Aim: The study aims to assess the quality assurance programmes of diagnostic X-ray equipment in government hospitals and private diagnostic centers in Kano metropolis, Nigeria. Material and methods: Twenty-two semi-structured questionnaires were administered to consenting radiographers working in Kano metropolis. The questions asked include; availability of the quality assurance committee, types of quality control tests conducted on the equipment, personnel responsible for the tests and, personnel to which the results of the tests were submitted. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics: frequency, mean and percentages from SPSS version 16.0. Results: Nineteen questionnaires (86%) were returned with only 3 (15.4 %) of the respondents indicating availability of QA committee in their departments. Seven (38.5 %) indicated there were QC measures in their departments and 11 (60 %) have some quality control tests being conducted. However, only 15 (76.9 %) indicated that maintenance service was conducted on their equipment, while 11 (60 %) indicated that they kept records of past services. No centre had a Radiation Safety Officer or QA Officer.Conclusion: Findings demonstrate poor quality assurance program in most X-ray facilities in Kano metropolis. It is recommended that X-ray centres should have quality assurance committee and routine quality control tests should be performed on the equipment

Radiological equipment and accessories as sources of nosocomial infection

Background: Nosocomial infections have become a major challenge in health institutions, as they affect the quality of health care delivered. The radiology department is one of the mainstays of modern medicine. It is therefore, necessary to assess its contamination by nosocomial organisms.Aim: The study aims at identifying the nosocomial bacteria associated with imaging equipment and accessories in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.Methods: The study design was prospective and cross-sectional in nature, and was conducted between Oct 2014 to Jan 2015 using disproportionate stratified random sampling method. Four different conventional x-ray units, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, angiography and ultrasound units were selected. Swabs were collected from the surfaces of the selected parts of the equipment and accessories after working hours in each unit. The swabs were taken to the microbiology laboratory for culturing and identification using standard laboratory procedure. A total of 200 cultured samples were used in the study. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 software.Results: Bacteria were isolated in 43.5 % (n = 87) of all the swab samples with ultrasound transducer as major culture. Specific bacteria isolated were: Staphylococcus aureus (n = 65; 74.7 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 14; 16.1 %), Bacillus spp (n = 6; 6.9 %), Klebsiella spp (n = 1; 1.1 %) and Proteus spp (n = 1; 1.1 %). Methylated spirit was the most effective chemical disinfectant. Conclusion: Radiology equipment and accessories in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital are not entirely free of bacteria. Meticulous attention to disinfection will safeguard staff and other patients from nosocomial infections

Prenatal Third Trimester Sonographic Behavior of a Thanatophoric Dwarfs

Background. Thanatophoric dysplasia (TD), the most common of the congenital lethal skeletal dysplasias occurs sporadically in 1/64,000-100,000 live births. To the best of our knowledge, the in utero attitudes and behaviours of such babies with serial ultrasound scans have not been previously described. Objectives. To present the in utero third trimester sonographic behaviors of TD in a 22-year-old primigravida diagnosed at ‘32weeks’ gestational age along with the clinical and radiographic characteristics. Methods. The same radiologists to observe the behavior of a thanatophoric dwarfs did three fortnights serial ultrasound scans. Results. The baby was found to have short limbs that were constantly in rigid abduction, flexed at both elbows and knees, and demonstrated poverty of synchronous movements. The upper limbs were perpetually in embracing position during all scans. In addition, he was hyperactive, showing “yoyo” body movement and constantly hyper-extended neck. Postmortem radiograph was diagnostic of TD. Conclusion. Though he baby died intra partum, the observed attitudes and behaviors on serial prenatal ultrasonography, which provided us with sufficient information to counsel the family, managed the pregnancy, and direct the postnatal evaluation could possibly add to the in utero diagnostic sonographic features of TD