Evaluation of Film Processing Solution Processing Solution Deterioration using Aluminium Stepped Wedge in Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital

Abstract

Background: Exhaustion of the processing solution occurs following the prolonged use. Therefore, evaluation of the solutions should be done periodically to assure the uniformity of the development of the radiographs during the useful life of the solutions and to prevent the suboptimal film and the repeat studies. Evaluation of film processing solution deterioration after using Aluminium Step wedge, the outcome will be evaluated by naked eye is very simple and practical. Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of film processing solution deterioration after using Aluminium Step Wedge by naked eye and the Densitometer. Materials and Methods: Study in the Department of Radiology, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital from 22^th June 2006 to 6^th August 2006, total 46 days. The study was done by inspection of the radiographs of an Aluminium Step Wedge. Densitometer also was used to measure the optical density of the radiographs. Result: The contrast different of the radiograph optical density was more than step 2 on visual inspection, that the processing solution is exhausted. The study using Densitometer revealed that the increase or decrease of the speed index and contrast index was more than 0.1 while the increase or decrease of the base plus fog was more than 0.05. the same result was obtained from the study using the densitometer. Conclusion: Evaluation of film processing solution deterioration using aluminium step wedge by naked eye is effective as using the densitometer.