Quality Control Measures in Tanzania: Is it Done?

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging and Radiology
• Health Services Research
• Quality Management in Healthcare

Background:

• Quality control (QC) in diagnostic radiology ensures optimal equipment performance, image quality, and accurate diagnoses at appropriate radiation doses.
• The Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) initiated QC training for radiographers due to a lack of clinical medical physicists.
• The extent of QC program implementation by radiographers in Tanzania remained largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current status of quality control (QC) measure implementation by radiographers in diagnostic radiography departments across Tanzania.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was employed.
• Data was collected using questionnaires administered to 84 trained radiographers.
• The study encompassed 54 hospitals throughout Tanzania.

Main Results:

• A significant number of radiographers failed to implement essential QC tests, including tube output, kV, mAs, timer, collimation, and densitometry/sensitometry.
• Implementation rates for film viewing box and lead protective apparel tests were also low.
• While cassette and darkroom inspections were reported, adherence to recommended schedules was lacking; departments lacked QC records and procedures.

Conclusions:

• The QC training objectives of the TAEC have not been met, as radiographers are not adequately implementing the QC program.
• Inadequate QC implementation risks undetected equipment malfunction, leading to poor image quality and elevated patient radiation doses.
• Full program implementation requires active collaboration between TAEC, the ministry of health, hospital management, and radiographers.