Assessment of radiation doses received by patients during different X-ray diagnostic examinations in selected health service centers in the city of Wroclaw and in the Wroclaw province

In 35 X-ray laboratories, randomly selected, in the city of Wroclaw and in the province, the following measurements were performed: exposure doses (mGy) for different kinds of X-ray examinations, exposure doses (mGy) for examinations employing conventional intensifying cassettes and cassettes equipped with intensifying screens of rare earths, basic exposure parameters, i.e. high voltage (kV), anodic current intensity (mA) and exposure duration. An average number of exposure per one examination was also defined. The values of standard deviation (SD) for doses measured and for exposure parameters were identified. The doses were compared with the values recommended in 'Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Ionizing Radiation' (IAEA, Safety Series No 115). Two differences were disclosed between the values measured and those recommended, particularly in exposures when conventional cassettes were used. The assessment of exposure parameters for the same X-ray examinations performed in different laboratories pointed to a lack of any analogy between the results. It bears witness to the fact that X-ray equipment is very much diversified, and that subjective factors play a significant role. (author)