Challenges in setting up quality control in diagnostic radiology facilities in Nigeria

Background: The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) was established to regulate and control the use of radioactive and radiation emitting sources in Nigeria. Quality control (QC) on diagnostic radiology equipment form part of the fundamental requirements for the authorization of diagnostic radiology facilities in the Country.Method: Some quality control tests (output, exposure linearity and reproducibility) were measured on the x-ray machines in the facilities that took part in the study. Questionnaire was developed to evaluate the frequencies at which QC tests were conducted in the facilities and the challenges in setting up QC.Results: Results show great variation in the values of the QC parameters measured. Inadequate cooperation by facilities management, lack of QC equipment and insufficient staff form the major challenges in setting up QC in the facilities under study.The responses on the frequencies at which QC tests should be conducted did not correspond to the recommended standards; indicating that personnel were not familiar with QC implementation and may require further training on QC.Keywords: Quality control,challenges,exposure reproducibility,regulation,diagnostic radiolog

Radiographic Evaluation of Age and Gender Related Cortical Bone Thinning Using The Metacarpal Index Method: A Lagos Based Population Study

A retrospective study to evaluate age and gender relatedcortical bone thinning using the metacarpal index (MCI)method was performed. Study sought to evaluate the effect ofage and gender on metacarpal index. A randomized collectionof 850 (males 436, females 414) dorsi-plantar radiographs ofthe left hand performed from 2003-2005 and accompanyingrequest forms was carried out. The width of the cortex of thesecond metacarpal and shaft was measured and used tocalculate the metacarpal index. Values were compared acrossage ranges and sex. Result showed a gradual increase in MCIfor both sexes from 20-40 years (peak MCI 57.4±2 and52.8±02 for males and females respectively at 40 years). Alinear decrease after the 5th decade of life was also observed.Males showed a higher MCI than females at all ages withmean values of 53.3±3.2 and 46.21±3.9 respectively. A morerapid decrease in MCI was observed in females than males

A study of the Ergonomics of the Medical Imaging Scientist in South- South, Nigeria.

Background: The dynamics of man’s relationship to his work environment have a lot to do with the productivity, output and results obtainable.Objective: This study sought to determine for the first time, to establish the perception of the Medical Imaging Scientist of the ergonomic variables of Job satisfaction (JS), Health & Safety (HS) and Performance (P) in Radiology Departments in South-South region of Nigeria.Materials and Method: A prospective survey with 100 self completion questionnaires was conducted among Radiographers (65) and Radiologists (35) in the South-South Nigeria. No stratification was observed among theprofessionals. Questions sought responses in a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being best positive response) relating to job satisfaction, health and safety issues and performance of personnel. Simple percentages were use to organize the results obtained and deductions made accordingly. A two sample t-statistic was used to determine any differences between the perceptions for good against bad ergonomics at the 95% confidence interval. The Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient was used to determine any relationships between the three ergonomic parameters. Responses included indication of musculoskeletal conditions which respondents had suffered from work.Results: Information obtained from responses revealed that about 29% of respondents were satisfied with their jobs. At least 44% of respondents felt there was sufficient provision for their health and safety at work, while about 41% rated their performance as being good on a scale of Excellent > Good > Fair > Poor. Strong positive linear relationships (r ≥ 0.8) were found between the three parameters but none of these was statistically significant (p > 0.05).Conclusion: The results suggest that factors other than health and safety may be determinants of the imaging scientists’ job satisfaction and performance

Combined effects of temperature changes and radiation absorption on living tissue

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 14(2) 2005: 177-18

X-ray Equipments and Accessories as possible Vectors of Nosocomial Bacteria in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Background of Study: 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 role in the spread of nosocomial infections.Aim: To assess the presence and specie of nosocomial bacteria on x-ray equipments and accessories as well as their prevalence in public and private hospitals in Anambra state.Method: Sterile swab sticks were used daily to swab the surfaces of selected x-ray equipments and accessories, at the close of work in public and private hospitals in Anambra State. MacConkey and Blood agar media were used to prepare the culture media. The prepared media were put in petri dishes andswab samples were inoculated onto the culture plates. Culture plates were then incubated for 24 hours, at a temperature of 37oc. Bacterial identification was done microscopically under bright light based on their colonial characteristics.Results: Bacteria were isolated in 43/50 (86%) samples collected. Bacteria isolated were; Staphylococcus aureus (36.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.7%), Proteus spp (7. 2%), Streptococcus (13. 4%), and Coliform spp. (20.6%). X-ray cassettes had the highest bacterial load followed by X-ray tube handles and couch.Conclusion: Radiology equipment and accessories in Anambra State have high bacterial load and therefore are potential sources of nosocomial infection

Corporate culture: It’s impact on corporate life and business practices in Nigeria

It is worthy of note that every corporation has a corporate culture and several subcultures, both strongly impacting on the work behaviour of management strategists and business policy makers. Again, every corporation also has goals and objectives which represent the purpose for its formation. Strategy is the means through which this pre-set goals and objectives are achieved. However, Managerial behaviour emanating from corporate culture and subcultures can either enhance or hinder the successful implementation of strategy. Other dimensions of corporate life and business practice that experience the impact of corporate culture include, multinational  organizations as well as mergers/acquisitions. Creating a strategy-supportive cooperate culture fit is the only option open to the management strategist in the circumstance. This paper in a nutshell, looks at what corporate culture is, how it impacts on various aspects of corporate life and business practice and how it can be managed to ensure a successful implementation of strategy-supportive corporate culture fit

The Effect Of Noise On Human Blood Pressure

Blood pressure of factory workers (study group) and office workers/students (control group) have been measured when they were exposed to a steady source of noise of about 110 dB(A). Results obtained show that people could be adapted to noise from steady sources. No significant increase in the Systolic Pressure and the Diastolic Pressure (SP) were recorded for the factory workers. However, there were slight increases in both the S. P and D. P of the control group. Thus implying that further increase in noise level could cause considerable increase in human blood pressure. KEYWORDS: Noise, Human, Blood Pressure, Systolic, Diastolic. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.11(1) 2005: 149-15

A Reduction in Radiographic Exposure and Image Quality in Film Screen Postero-anterior Chest Radiography

Purpose: To develop a protocol for the optimization of diagnostic chest radiography examination, the effect of radiographic exposure reduction on image quality is investigated. Procedure: Fourty-eight adult patients presenting for posterior-anterior (PA) chest radiography in a tertiary health care centre were categorized into 3 groups to assess the effects of exposure (tube current/time mAs) reduction on clinical image quality using in film screen (FS) chest radiography. Images were obtained at existing departmental exposure protocol (T1) while a record of the exposure factors was made. Test exposures obtained by reducing average mAs values by 20% (T2) and 50% (T3) were used to obtain radiographic images of patients following normal ethically based clinical practice. To make up for the reduction in mAs, a 4% increase in the T1 kVp was used. The quality of images obtained with each exposure protocol was studied by two Consultant Radiologists, using the image quality criteria of the Commission of European Communities (CEC). Assessors used the method of ranked scoring and worked independently. Results: Results showed no change in image quality following the 20% exposure (mAs) reduction. However, there was a significant change in image quality at 50% reduction of mAs values (P < 0.05) with higher image quality scores suggesting improved perceptibility of all assessed criteria among the observers. Conclusion: Improving radiation protection of the patient while maintaining diagnostic quality of the radiographic image at reduced exposures is a clinically desirable development. This study will find application in current efforts at optimization of radiography procedures in the area of study. Keywords: Radiography, exposure reduction, image quality, chest, quality control