Determination ofRadiological Quality Parameters Using Optical Densitometer andSimple Fabricated Equipment

The etiquette of safe practice for the use of x-rays in medical diagnosis requires that each x-ray facility has an appropriate quality assurance program in radiation protection and to keep doses as low as reasonable achievable. An alternative method of evaluating radiological quality parameters of diagnostic x-ray machine is considered in this study. This study was conducted in Federal Medical Center Keffi, Nasarawa State. The aim was to determine radiological quality parameters using optical densitometer and simple fabricated equipment. This research has determined some of these parameters via the wooden step wedge and metal pin fabricated. The wedge and metal pin were exposed to x-ray and the optical densities of the processed films were measured with a densitometer. The result indicates that simple fabricated equipment can be used to determine the following radiological quality parameters such as dose, beam alignment, peak kilo voltage and tube current consistency in the absence of quality control test equipment. This is an indication that departmental protocol can be established in x-ray department using simple fabricated equipment .These equipment can be used in the determination of radiological quality parameters.