Radiological protection on x-ray machines for medical radiodiagnosis at Minas Gerais, Brazil

Since July 1995, each radiological survey performed by the CDTN workers has been accompanied by some quality control tests. From about 600 X-ray machines surveyed, we have analyzed the results of 10 tests applied in 133 of these machines and imaging systems, including 18 mammography units. The results are shown in tables, test by test, and thus we have a sample of the machines nowadays in use in the state of Minas Gerais. It becomes quite clear that an improvement in their maintenance procedures is urgently required. As an additional analysis, we have put together the results of the 8 tests applied exclusively in the machines (excluded 2 applied in the imaging system), and we come to the expected conclusion that they should almost all be rejected (97%), if a blind program of quality control were carried out. (author)