Analysis of the status of X-ray diagnosis in Ghana

In Ghana's healthcare system there are about 4200 people to each physician. The annual frequency of X-ray examinations during the period 1990 to 1996 ranges from six to 11 per thousand population. Chest radiograph examinations account for 46.5% of the annual frequency. The survey revealed that there are no established acceptance testing procedures for newly installed X-ray equipment. Neither institutional level performance checks following major repairs of faulty equipment, nor routine checks at regular intervals to ensure self-consistency of equipment performance are conducted. The results of the film retake analysis undertaken indicates a need for quality assurance programmes to be taken seriously to avert considerable cost and high patient doses. Radiographers and X-ray-technical officers who physically perform X-ray examinations should receive adequate training in the selection of procedures so as to ensure that doses to patients are as low as reasonably practicable in order to achieve the desired diagnostic objective.