The first trial patient dose survey in diagnostic radiology in Vietnam

This paper presents the results of the patient dose survey in some hospitals in Hanoi City from 1995 to 1997 under IAEA CRP 'Radiation Protection in Diagnostic Radiology in Asia and Far East'. The main investigated types of the X-ray examination were: Chest PA,LAT; Skull PA/AP,LAT; Lumbar spine AP,LAT; and Pelvis AP and in barium meal as well. The fluctuation of the entrance surface doses (ESD) was too large, even in the same type of X-ray examination and X-ray facility. It was found that the ratio of maximum and minimum ESD ranged from 1.5 to 18. The mean values of ESD for chest and skull were higher than the CEC recommended guidance values, while the mean values of lumbar spine and pelvis were smaller than that of CEC recommended guidance values. The result of dose intercomparison was also reported. Some methods of dose reduction were applied for improving the patient dose in X-ray departments, such as a high kV technique, high sensitive screen-film combination. (author)