Evaluation of workload distribution and exposure factors in common use in ten general x-ray rooms in Ireland: An initial step towards protocol optimisation.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess current practice in general x-ray rooms in three Irish hospitals. Evaluating the extent to which x-ray protocols are currently standardised can be considered as a preparatory step towards the larger goal of implementing optimisation in a diagnostic radiology department.

Methods: Data on various aspects of general x-ray room exposures was manually collected and analysed to highlight variations with exposure factors in use and workload distribution across each of the ten hospital x-ray rooms included in the study.