The patient exposure from chest examination in diagnostic radiology

The survey was carried out in the three representative units in Cluj city for chest examination (two hospitals and one ambulatory centre). The purpose of the study is to verify the most technical parameters of radiological system which influence the image quality and patient exposures. Values found for entrance surface dose (ESD) and effective doses are above diagnostic reference level in all three units included in our study, especially because the high value of mAs. Despite the same protocols applied for PhilipsDuodiagnost and Eltex X-ray system, the variation in doses is due to the inaccurate kVp. This high values of ratio patient effective dose / guidance level require an investigation and optimisation of X-ray system or protocols. (authors)