Yoshiyuki Harada

Causes of inadequate X-ray films in Fukuoka Dental College Hospital

The high incidence of defective X-ray films requires that patients undergo unnecessary and expensive repeat radiation exposure. We investigated the frequency of defective films and its causes to protect patients from unnecessary radiation exposure. Between July and September, 1989 (61.5 days), the number and causes of defective X-ray films processed in our department were evaluated. The films had been requested by the departments of dentistry, medicine, surgery, and anesthesiology. Intraoral radiographs were excluded from the study. Of the total of 5, 261 films, 8.6% were defective. The percentage of defective films was highest when the entire staff of three dariological technicians, one darkroom cleark, and one information cleark were on duty. Eighteen percent of all defective films were without exposure, and 82% with exposure. Radiological technician error was the cause in 63.5% of all defective films, positioning error in 34.6%, and exposure error in 17.8%. Of all defective films, 18.5% were not due to radiological technician error; the patient, mis-handling in the darkroom, and requester error accounted for 8.1%, 6.2%, and 4.2%, respectively. We have implemented various improvements as a result of this survey.The high incidence of defective X-ray films requires that patients undergo unnecessary and expensive repeat radiation exposure. We investigated the frequency of defective films and its causes to protect patients from unnecessary radiation exposure.Between July and September, 1989 (61.5 days), the number and causes of defective X-ray films processed in our department were evaluated. The films had been requested by the departments of dentistry, medicine, surgery, and anesthesiology. Intraoral radiographs were excluded from the study.Of the total of 5, 261 films, 8.6% were defective. The percentage of defective films was highest when the entire staff of three dariological technicians, one darkroom cleark, and one information cleark were on duty. Eighteen percent of all defective films were without exposure, and 82% with exposure.Radiological technician error was the cause in 63.5% of all defective films, positioning error in 34.6%, and exposure error in 17.8%. Of all defective films, 18.5% were not due to radiological technician error; the patient, mis-handling in the darkroom, and requester error accounted for 8.1%, 6.2%, and 4.2%, respectively.We have implemented various improvements as a result of this survey.