| The US Army has sixty-six Active-Duty Nuclear Medical Science Officers (72A)
overseeing medical defense radiology. To address operational challenges like austere
environments and personnel shortages, a system focusing on patient dose and reliability matrices
for X-ray machines could help. This research provides data and analysis to justify a streamlined
process to determine compliance with regulatory standards that maintain patient dose within
1.5% of initially established values for a particular machine. It specifically considers the dose per
time integrated filament current (mAs) as a function of the squared applied tube voltage
expressed in kVp 2 . The linearity of these parameters has been shown to fluctuate little with
repeat measurements in a new device. However, variations in performance can be readily
identified considering these parameters. Such variation would serve as a screening tool
indicative of further investigation. Analysis of twenty-two machines showed compliance,
suggesting Biomedical Equipment Specialists (68A) could conduct annual tests, relieving 72A
duties and addressing deployment and personnel issues. This approach offers a comprehensive
quality control system, optimizing medical defense capabilities and possibly influencing future
Army Radiation Protection Program standards. Further administrative efforts may be needed to
refine responsibilities and regulatory documentation for X-ray machine testing audits.
Nonetheless, this streamlining process is technically justified.
Keywords: Nuclear Medical Science Officer, X-ray machine, patient dose, quality control,
regulatory standards |