Study on the performance of recommended standards in the
diagnostic radiology units of the hospitals affiliated to the Mazandaran
University of Medical Sciences
Affiliations: Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of
Health, Department of Basic Sciences, Kilomer 18 KHAZARABAD Road, P.O. Box
48175-1553 Sari, Iran. Tel.: +1 981513543082 9; Fax: +1 981513542473; E-mail:
rahimi201@yahoo.com
Abstract: Background and purpose: Access to health care is the basic right of
people. Diagnostic radiology is one of the main procedures which appropriate
planning and management are essential. Maintenance and supervision of the
operating conditions following the recommended standards play a key role in
ensuring the benefit of the instruments. Data show that more than 80% of
patients referred to hospitals need radiology image. Improper service causes
unnecessary duplications of radiation and even wrong diagnosis, as a results
threatening health of the patients. Lack of protective barrier leads to the
hazardous radiation exposure to the staff and patients. Improper use of
radiation instrumentation, such as asymmetry of X-ray field, defects in
collimators, lack of adjusting ray field, low quality or defective developing
machine, lack of proper protective barrier, low quality film and drugs, can
cause severe damage. The purpose of this study was to assess the conditions of
radiology units at Mazandaran University hospitals and compare them with the
standards of ICRU NCRP and ICRP. Materials and methods: The following six
categories of conditions of radiography centers affiliated to the Mazandaran
University of Medical Sciences were studied for the types and the rates of
deficiency. (1) Conditions of radiography room; (2) Conditions of radiography
instruments; (3) Conditions of control room; (4) Conditions of dark room; (5)
Conditions of installation; and (6) Conditions of the other facilities. Results: The results showed that, none of the dark rooms are standard, and do
not have proper alarm signal. In 63% of these units there was no tiling
system for staff protection from radiation. Defects in radiography room,
protective barrier and lack looking rays were 60%, 51% and 47%
respectively. Referring to the obtained data, periodic supervision, and obeying
of the standards are necessary. Data were collected through, observation,
interviewing and questionnaire. The data show that the radiology units are far
from the international standards; only about 50% of the conditions on
average are satisfactory. Conclusion: Overall, about 50% of the units
are deficient in the six categories, comparing with international standards.
The improvement of the conditions is needed.
Keywords: Diagnostic radiology, dosimeter, radiology standards, protective barrier, ionized ray
