Analysis of film reject rate in the diagnostic x-ray facility of a tertiary health institution in Benin, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Film rejects analysis (FRA) as part of quality assurance tests in radiography services, is carried out periodically to identify causes of film rejection and to proffer solutions to ameliorate such problems.

Objective: The study was carried out to estimate film rejection rate in a tertiary health facility in Benin, Nigeria and also to identify causes of film rejection in the centre.

Methods: This prospective study was carried out within 6 months. Ethical approval was obtained from the local committee on research and ethics before the study commenced. Only routine x-ray procedures were included in the study. Four x-ray rooms and four radiographers with equal training and job experience were selected for the study. Different boxes labeled for each room were used to daily collect rejected films.

Results: Overall rejection rate was 6.7%. Improper exposure caused the highest rate of repeats (> 12% in the old x-ray rooms). Highest rejection rates (31%) were found in the old x-ray rooms. Paranasal sinuses examination accounted for highest rejection rate (25%) among all routine x-ray investigations considered.

Conclusion: Rejection rate found was within recommended limits. Obsolete but poorly maintained xmachines layed major roles in overall film rejection rate in the centre. X ray of paranasal sinuses was challenging to radiographers observed. Radiographers should embrace CPD while obsolete x-ray equipments found in the centre should be scrapped to further reduce film reject rate in the centre.

Keywords: Film rejection rates, improper exposures, positioning errors, radiography, Nigeria