Implementation of quality assurance programme for radiographic images in public hospitals of Aracaju-SE

Abstract

The initial conditions of the darkroom and X rays films processing of two public hospitals, called A and B hospitals, at Aracaju-SE city had been evaluated. This evaluation was performed to define the actions for an Assurance Quality Program (AQP) aiming to improve in the radiographic images quality and costs reduction for both hospitals. The evaluation of the initial conditions of the hospital B showed that a large reduction in the film rejection index and in its radiographic image artifacts can be obtained after the AQP deeds be accomplished. In the A hospital, the actions that have been deployed by the AQP resulted in a reduction of about 50% of the costs associated with chemical products consumption and improved the radiographic image quality. It was demonstrated by a decrease in the radiographs rejection index of 7 % to 5%. The results also revealed that the presence of a medical physicist able to follow the AQP is essential, because, without him, the program, in general, is neglected.